Government implements half-day work from home scheme on Holy Wednesday

MANILA (UPDATED)  — The Philippine government will implement a half-day work from home scheme for all public workers on April 1, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 116, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto explained that the shortened work day was declared "to provide government employees full opportunity to properly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on April 2 and 3."

Under the scheme, all government workers may work from home from 8 a.m. until 12 noon on April 1, while services from 12 noon onwards are suspended.

This schedule will also allow public sector workers to "travel to and from different regions in the country" during the long break, it read.

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"However, agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health service, preparedness response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue with their operations under usual working arrangements and render the necessary services," it read.

"The adoption of work from home and suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective employers."

The policy will cover the executive, legislative and judiciary, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters.

In Catholic-dominated Philippines, the government has implemented a half-day work schedule during Holy Wednesday in recent years to give public sector workers ample time to travel to their home provinces for the Holy Week.

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