Half-day work in gov't offices on October 31 —Palace

Work in government offices will be suspended beginning Thursday noon to give employees ample time to observe All Saints’ Day, Malacañang said Wednesday.

The Palace issued the directive through Memorandum Circular 69 that was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

“However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services,” the circular stated.

The Palace left to the heads of private schools and companies to decide whether to suspend work/classes.

Both November 1 (All Saints' Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day) have been declared by Malacañang as special non-working days. —Virgil Lopez/KBK, GMA News