Palace shortens work in Executive branch Monday for Family Week

FAMILY TIME. A family enjoys their picnic at the Luneta Park in Manila in this file photo. Malacañang has suspended work in government offices in the Executive Branch on Monday (Sept. 28, 2020), 3:30 p.m. onwards to allow government workers and their families to celebrate Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – Malacañang has suspended work in government offices in the Executive Branch on Monday, 3:30 p.m. onwards to allow government workers and their families to celebrate Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day.

Memorandum Circular No. 80, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Sept. 25, recognizes the need to afford time to government workers to celebrate the occasion with their families.

“Pursuant to Proclamation No. 60 (s. 1992), which declared the last week of September of every year as Family Week and in order to afford government workers and their families time to celebrate in their respective homes, the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day pursuant to Proclamation No. 326 (s. 2012), work in government offices in the Executive Branch shall be suspended from 3:30 in the afternoon onwards on Monday, 28 September 2020,” the circular read.

Agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services will continue with their operations and render the necessary services.

The suspension of work in other branches of government, in independent commissions or bodies, and in the private sector is encouraged so as to afford all Filipino families the full opportunity to celebrate the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day.

The circular takes effect immediately.

Under Proclamation 326, Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day is held every fourth Monday of September every year, in conjunction with the annual celebration of Family Week.

Family Week, observed in the fourth week of September, emphasizes the importance of strengthening and promoting unity, solidarity, and stability of the Filipino family.

The National Committee on the Filipino Family, mandated to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, is in charge of leading the national observance of Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day.

“There is a need to highlight and celebrate the value of families sharing meals together as a national tradition that should be observed annually and sustained by all Filipino families,” the proclamation read.

“Let us enjoy some private moments with our family. Take a lot of photos and post them on social media. Indeed, we have a government that truly cares for the Filipino family,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

He said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will proceed with its scheduled meeting on Monday afternoon.