The Manila local government workers will have a half-day work suspension on December 23 and December 29, the city government announced on Friday, Dec. 23.

This is to provide them with enough time to prepare for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“To prepare for Christmas and New Year celebrations after a year of hard work and dedicated public service, city government employees of the City of Manila deserve a little time and opportunity to aptly prepare for the holidays in order to have a meaningful celebration of the season with their families, friends, and loved ones,” stated in the executive order (EO) effective from 1 pm onwards.

However, there were employees who are not covered in the EO — workers involved in peace and order, public services, traffic enforcement, disaster and risk reduction management, and health and sanitation.