Palace shortens gov't work hours on Sept. 28 for National Family Week

MANILA, September 18 ------ Malacañang has ordered shortened work hours in government offices on Sept. 28 to give employees time to celebrate the 34th National Family Week and Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day with their families.

Under Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 136 signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Sept. 16, work in in the executive branch will be suspended from 1 p.m. onwards on Sept. 28, a Monday. The order covers all government agencies and instrumentalities under the Executive branch, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges.

However, government agencies responsible for basic and health services, disaster and calamity preparedness and response, and other vital services will continue operations. “Government workers in the Executive branch are encouraged to fully support the programs and activities relative to the observance of 34 National Family Week, as organized by the National Committee on the Filipino Family,” MC No. 136 read. Malacañang also encouraged branches of government, independent commissions and bodies, as well as the private sector, to suspend work “to afford all Filipino families the full opportunity to celebrate the 34th National Family Week.”

The shortened work hours are pursuant to Proclamation Nos. 60 and 326 issued in 1992 and 2012, respectively. Proclamation No. 60 declares the last week of September of every year as Family Week, while Proclamation No. 326 declares the fourth Monday of September as Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day. The National Family Week aims to strengthen and promote unity, solidarity and stability of the Filipino Family as the basic unit of society.

Meanwhile, Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day highlights the importance of Filipino families sharing meals as a national tradition. The National Committee on the Filipino Family, mandated to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, leads the observance of Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day.

Source: pna.gov.ph