MANILA - Malacañang on Friday announced the suspension of work in state colleges and universities and other agencies under the executive branch on December 26.

In Memorandum Circular No. 55 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Dec. 21, “work in government offices throughout the country, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, local government units, and other agencies and instrumentalities, is also suspended on 26 December 2018.”

Palace suspends government work on Dec. 26 @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/EWwcAhG1pw — Dharel Placido (@dgplacido) December 21, 2018

The suspension seeks to give government employees “full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones.”

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

The Palace earlier suspended government work on January 2, 2019, which falls on a Wednesday. December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 1 (New Year’s Day) are regular holidays.