(File photo)
MANILA – Malacañang has instructed all government offices and instrumentalities in Metro Manila that are under executive branch to continue observing a skeleton workforce until Aug. 31.
The order was contained in Memorandum Circular (MC) 88 inked by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Aug. 20 and was released on Thursday.
MC 88 extends the applicability of MC 88 signed on Aug. 4 which directs all government offices under executive branch to make sure that the number of employees who can physically report for work are not less than 20 percent until Aug. 20.
Metro Manila was under the most restrictive enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from Aug. 6 to 20.
Under MC 88, government agencies and instrumentalities in Metro Manila are directed to remain “fully-operational” until Aug. 31, subject to the on-site capacity and work-from-home arrangements.
Despite the threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and following the downgrading of quarantine status, government offices should continue delivering public services, according to the memorandum circular.
“To ensure continuity of government service, the skeleton workforce shall not be less than 20 percent on-site capacity at any given time, with remainder being under work-from-home arrangements,” the latest order read.
Metro Manila is currently under the more relaxed modified ECQ (MECQ) until Aug. 31.
Agencies providing health and emergency front-line services, laboratory and testing services, border control, and other critical services, are allowed to operate up to “full on-site capacity.”
The head of each agency is tasked to submit to the department head exercising control or supervision over it the specific percentage of its skeleton workforce, along with work arrangements to ensure its continuing operation.
"The skeleton workforce as determined by the agency shall be immediately implemented upon the onset of MECQ, provided that the department head may, at any time, direct the modification of the submitted on-site capacity or related arrangements, as health considerations and the exigencies of the services may require,” MC 88 said.
The legislative and judicial branches of government are enjoined to adopt MC 88 which was made public on Thursday. (PNA)
