ILOILO City — Government offices and public schools across Western Visayas will cut short their operations today, Monday, September 28, as workers, teachers and students are given the afternoon to spend time with their families in observance of the 34th National Family Week and “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” Day.
Work in national government agencies and classes in public schools will be suspended beginning at 1 p.m., although offices providing basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other vital services will continue operating.
The suspension stems from Memorandum Circular No. 136 issued by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on September 16, covering all agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or controlled corporations and state universities and colleges.
The circular was issued pursuant to Proclamation No. 60, Series of 1992, which declared the last week of September every year as Family Week, and Proclamation No. 326, Series of 2012, which designated the fourth Monday of September as “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” Day.
Several local governments, government agencies and educational institutions in Western Visayas have separately announced their observance of the nationwide initiative.
In Carles, Iloilo, Mayor Arnold Betita II announced the afternoon suspension of work and classes.
“In observance of the 34th National Family Week and “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” Day, the Municipality of Carles will have a work and classes suspension in the afternoon on Monday, September 28, 2026 in accordance with Memorandum Circular No. 136, series of 2026,” Betita said.
Pavia’s Mayor Laurence Anthony G. Gorriceta likewise issued Executive Order No. 0280, Series of 2026, suspending work as the municipality combines the Family Week observance with a cleanup and sanitation drive.
From 8 a.m. to noon, the municipal government will conduct intensive disinfection, deep cleaning and sanitation of municipal buildings, offices and surrounding facilities.
Beginning at 1 p.m., municipal employees will observe Family Day and spend time with their families.
Offices and units handling basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other essential public services will maintain a skeleton workforce.
“The LGU Pavia encourages everyone to take this opportunity to strengthen family bonds, share meaningful moments with loved ones, and support the continuing efforts to keep our workplaces clean, safe, and healthy,” Gorriceta’s executive order stated.
The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) Region VI, headed by Regional Director Ann Rapunzel “Rara” Ganzon, also announced the suspension of work beginning at 1 p.m.
“Please be informed that work in the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) Region VI will be suspended starting at 1:00 PM on Monday, 28 September 2026, in observance of “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” Day, as part of the celebration of National Family Week,” NCSC-6 said.
The Civil Service Commission Regional Office 6 and its field offices will likewise suspend work for the observance.
At the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U), both work and classes at all levels will be suspended starting at 1 p.m.
“In view thereof, work and classes at all levels in the university are hereby suspended on September 28, 2026 (Monday), starting at 1:00 in the afternoon, to give faculty, administrative personnel, and students the opportunity to celebrate “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” Day with their respective families,” ISAT U announced.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office VI and its field offices also announced an afternoon work suspension.
The Department of Education earlier issued a memorandum through Undersecretary and Chief of Staff of the Office of the Secretary Atty. Fatima Lipp Panontongan suspending work Monday afternoon to allow DepEd employees and learners to celebrate “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” Day.
DepEd offices and units involved in emergency response and other vital services, however, will remain operational.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 136, government workers in the executive branch are encouraged to support programs and activities organized for the 34th National Family Week.
The circular also encourages other branches of government, independent commissions and bodies, as well as the private sector, to suspend work to give Filipino families the opportunity to participate in the observance.
Agencies responsible for basic and health services, disaster and calamity preparedness and response, and other vital services are exempted from the suspension and must continue necessary operations./PN
