Government employees in the executive branch stop work at 1:00 PM on Monday, September 28, 2026, so they can celebrate the 34th National Family Week with their families.
The order was issued by the Office of the President through Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 136 of which rests on Proclamation Nos. 60 (s. 1992) and 326 (s. 2012).
It covers national government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and state universities and colleges (SUCs), while offices that deliver basic, health, and other vital services must keep running.
The suspension of work in other branches of government, independent commissions or bodies, and the private sector is also encouraged to suspend work, so as to afford all Filipino families the full opportunity to celebrate the 34th National Family Week.
What Is National Family Week?
National Family Week is held every last week of September every year. It aims to strengthen family bonds and stability, since the family is regarded as society’s basic unit.
The observance dates back to 1992, when then-President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 60, and it reflects the Constitution’s recognition of the family as the foundation of the nation (Article XV, Section 1, 1987 Constitution).
This year marks the 34th celebration, with programs organized by the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF). The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the NCFF’s lead agency.
What Is Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day?
Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day falls on the fourth Monday of every September under Proclamation No. 326 (s. 2012). In English, the name points to the importance of family mealtimes.
The day celebrates the Filipino tradition of eating together as a family. In 2026, the fourth Monday is September 28, which is why the work suspension lands on that date.
The half-day gives employees time to share a meal and bond with their families, and executive-branch workers are encouraged to support the NCFF’s Family Week programs.
Who Is Covered by the Work Suspension?
MC 136 suspends work in agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, expressly including GOCCs and SUCs. Other branches of government, independent commissions or bodies, and private employers are encouraged, not ordered, to suspend work too.
Who Must Keep Working?
Offices that provide basic and health services, prepare for and respond to disasters and calamities, or perform other vital services are exempted and must keep serving the public. In practice, that keeps frontline offices such as hospitals and disaster response teams on duty.
What the 1:00 PM Suspension Means for Your Work Hours
- Morning hours stay regular. Since the suspension starts at 1:00 PM, employees still report for duty in the morning.
- Afternoon work is suspended for covered employees, while exempted offices stay on duty.
- Timekeeping follows agency rules. How the afternoon appears in your DTR is handled under your agency’s timekeeping rules, so confirm with your HR or Administrative office.
When Does It Take Effect?
National Government Agencies
The suspension begins at 1:00 PM on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Local Government Units (LGUs)
Reports on the circular describe coverage of national government agencies, GOCCs, and SUCs, and do not name LGUs. LGU officials and employees should follow any order from their local chief executive.
Legal Basis
- Memorandum Circular No. 136, s. 2026: signed September 16, 2026 by Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto by authority of the President; suspends work in national government offices from 1:00 PM on September 28, 2026.
- Proclamation No. 60, s. 1992: declares the last week of September every year as Family Week.
- Proclamation No. 326, s. 2012: declares the fourth Monday of September every year as Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day.
- Article XV, Section 1, 1987 Constitution: recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.
- CSC Resolution No. 2600838 (June 18, 2026): amends the CSC’s flexible work arrangement policies and includes guidelines on holidays and work suspensions under the compressed workweek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is September 28, 2026 a holiday?
No. It is a half-day work suspension starting at 1:00 PM, not a regular holiday or special non-working day. The morning remains a normal working period.
Was the suspension declared through a Presidential Proclamation?
No. It was ordered through MC No. 136, which was issued pursuant to Proclamation No. 60 (s. 1992) and Proclamation No. 326 (s. 2012). Those proclamations set Family Week and Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day. The circular is what suspends work on September 28.
Do I still have to report to work in the morning?
Yes. Work is suspended only from 1:00 PM onward, so the morning hours remain regular. Absences in the morning stay subject to the usual attendance and leave rules.
Are LGUs, the judiciary, Congress, constitutional commissions, or private companies covered?
Not automatically. The circular encourages other branches, independent commissions or bodies, and the private sector to suspend work, but does not make it automatic.
LGU employees should follow their local chief executive’s order. Personnel of bodies such as the CSC and COA should follow their own agency head’s issuance. Private employers decide based on company policy and applicable labor rules.
I work in an exempted agency. Will I get extra pay for working in the afternoon?
That depends on your agency and existing rules. Exempted offices keep operating, but overtime pay or compensatory time-off requires prior authority from the agency head under the CSC-DBM overtime rules. Ask your HR or budget office before the day.
I’m on a compressed workweek. How does the suspension affect my hours?
Under CSC’s guidelines, employees scheduled for a 10-hour day who are covered by a work suspension are considered to have completed their required hours, except essential 24/7 frontline skeleton forces.
If the suspension falls on your designated day off, your remaining workdays that week temporarily revert to 8 hours. Confirm with your HR how your agency applies these rules to a half-day suspension.
Are classes in public schools suspended?
The circular orders the suspension of work in government offices, and reports on it do not mention class suspensions. For classes and school personnel, follow the issuances of DepEd, CHED, or your SUC.
Key Takeaways
- Work is suspended from 1:00 PM on Monday, September 28, 2026 in national government agencies, GOCCs, and SUCs.
- The order is MC No. 136 (September 16, 2026), issued pursuant to Proclamation Nos. 60 (s. 1992) and 326 (s. 2012), not a new proclamation.
- Morning hours remain regular working hours.
- Agencies delivering basic, health, and other vital services keep operating.
- Other branches, independent bodies, and the private sector are only encouraged to suspend work. LGUs should follow their local chief executive.
- September 28 is Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day, the fourth Monday of September, during the 34th National Family Week.
- On a compressed workweek? Check CSC Resolution No. 2600838 and confirm with your HR.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended for use in any government transaction. It is based on Memorandum Circular No. 136 (s. 2026), Proclamation No. 60 (s. 1992), Proclamation No. 326 (s. 2012), Article XV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution, and CSC Resolution No. 2600838 (2026). Refer to the official issuances and your agency’s implementing guidelines.
