WORK in government offices have been suspended from 12 p.m. onwards on April 5, 2023, the Office of the President announced Friday, March 31.

Malacañang said in an announcement posted on the Presidential Communications Office’s Facebook page that the work suspension “will give government employees ample time to travel to and from the different regions of the country” as the government earlier declared April 6 and 7 as regular holidays.

Memorandum Circular 16, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and released Friday, stated that agencies whose functions involved the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness or response to disaster and calamities, and performance of other vital services “shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services.”

Private companies and offices have the discretion to suspend work or not in their respective businesses, Malacañang added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared April 6 (Holy Thursday) and 7 (Good Friday) as regular holidays on March 14 in observance of Holy Week.

He also declared April 10 (Monday) as a regular holiday to mark the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). (LMY)