THE Palace has suspended government work on December 26, 2017 and January 2, 2018 to give state employees more time with their families and love ones. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued Memorandum Circular 27 declaring two more holidays on top of Proclamation 50 and 269 declaring December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 1 (New Year’s Day) as holidays “in order to give the employees of the government the full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families.”The suspension of work in other branches of government and independent commissions or bodies, as well as in private companies and offices, is left to the discretion of their respective heads or managements, the circular stated. Agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness or response to disasters and calamities, and the performance of other vital services will be operational on December 26 and January 2. The judiciary likewise declared the extension of suspension of work in all courts in the country on December 26, 2017 and January 2, 2018 for the holidays. The extended holiday break was declared by the high court in consonance with Malacañang’s Memorandum Circular 37.with JOMAR CANLAS

Source: Manila Times December 14, 2017 16:07 UTC