Malacañan Palace on Friday announced the suspension of work in executive department offices starting noon on April 5, Holy Wednesday, to give workers ample time to prepare for the observance of the Holy Week.
The Palace made the announcement through Memorandum Circular 16 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
The order, however, provided that government agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other vital services, will continue with their operations.
The suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective employers.
The Palace earlier declared Maundy Thursday, April 6, and Good Friday, April 7, as regular holidays.
April 10, Monday, has also been declared a regular holiday inobservance of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said he will go on a retreatfor a few days during the Holy Week.
Interviewed by the members of the Palace Press in Mariveles, Bataan,the President said he is also planning to spend Easter Sunday with his family.
“I’ll do what I do every year. I go [on a] retreat for a few days and then I’ll spend Easter with my family,” Mr. Marcos said.
The President did not say where they would observe the long holiday.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, also declared half-day work for all courts on April 5.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Fridayannounced it will allow provincial buses along EDSA this Holy Week to accommodate passengers going to the provinces.
Provincial buses coming from North Luzon will terminate their trips at the bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City while those from South Luzon will terminate their trips at the bus terminals in Pasay City.
“This is to allow the provincial buses to accommodate the expected high number of passengers going to the provinces for the Lenten seasonand ensure the convenience and comfort of the commuters,” the agency stated.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said earlier they also suspended theimplementation of the number coding scheme (Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program) in the National Capital Region beginning April 6 (Maundy Thursday) until April 10 (Monday), which are declared holidays.
The MMDA also imposed a No Day Off, No Absent Policy on April 5, 6, and 10 when traffic is expected to be congested due to the holidayexodus while skeletal deployment will be enforced on April 7, 8, and 9 and will focus on the usual Visita Iglesia sites, including the Panata Route going to Antipolo and the Grotto.
Ambulances and tow trucks will be positioned along key areas in the metropolis.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday officially implemented its “Oplan Ligtas Sumvac (summer vacation) 2023” campaign nationwide to ensure safe travel for motorists and commuters this Lenten season and the summer months.
In a press statement, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said he has already instructed all regional and provincial police offices to activate their contingency plans and maximize the deployment of
personnel through tourist police units in their respective areas of responsibility in coordination with local government units (LGUs), local tourism councils, and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
“We are expecting a large number of people to travel especially during the Holy Week, and we want to make sure that they will have a safe and enjoyable experience,” he said.
The PNP has released a set of operational guidelines for police units and stations that aims to provide a safe and peaceful environment for people who will travel to their respective provinces or tourist destinations to observe Holy Week and celebrate local fiestas and other significant events.
It will also intensify checkpoint operations to ensure the safety and security of all commuters.
All police regional offices were also directed to conduct regular inspections and mobile patrols to ensure maximum police presence in crowded places such as bus terminals, seaports, airports, and other transport hubs.
To assist the public and promptly address specific complaints, Assistance Hubs (AHs) and Police Assistance Desks (PADs) with a total of 38,387 officers will be deployed for enhanced police presence through mobile and foot/beat patrol.
An additional 39,504 officers will be deployed for specific areas of convergence such as major thoroughfares, transportation hubs, terminals, commercial areas, and places of worship.
