Palace cuts short work hours for ‘Kainang Pamilya’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday shortened work hours in the executive branch to allow government workers and their families to uphold the tradition of sharing meals together.

Memorandum Circular No. 80 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea suspended work in the executive branch yesterday from 3:30 p.m. onwards to allow government personnel and their families to celebrate the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day.

The celebration was in line with Proclamation No. 60 signed in 2012 which declared the last week of September every year as Family Week.

Likewise, the Supreme Court (SC) also shortened work hours in all courts in the country yesterday in observance of Family Week.

In a tweet posted on its website, the SC announced that work in all courts nationwide would only be until 3:30 p.m. instead of the regular working hours that last until 5 p.m.

The SC said, “Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta leads the Judiciary in celebrating Family Week pursuant to Proclamation No. 60 (s.1992). Work in all courts nationwide today shall only be until 3:30 p.m., to encourage court employees to spend more time with their families.”

Agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness and response to disasters and calamities and the performance of other vital services were not covered by the memorandum.

Among those who were required to work beyond 3:30 p.m. were members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases who discussed the updated quarantine classifications and other pandemic-related measures. – Evelyn Macairan