MANILA, Philippines — Government employees will only be working from home until noon on April 16, 2025, to give them time to prepare for the long Holy Week break, according to Malacañang.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 81 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, government offices nationwide are ordered to adopt a work-from-home (WFH) arrangement from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16. 

Work in government agencies will be suspended starting noon of the same day.

The circular, released Monday, is meant to give employees “full opportunity to properly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on April 17-18” and allow them to travel to and from the provinces.

However, the suspension does not apply to frontline agencies and offices involved in health, disaster response, and other vital services. 

These offices are expected to maintain regular operations “under usual working arrangements” during the period, Bersamin said.

The memo leaves it to the discretion of private employers whether to follow similar WFH and work suspension schemes.

The circular takes effect immediately.

Holy Week is traditionally one of the most important religious observances in the country, with many Filipinos returning to their hometowns to mark the occasion.