Solon: Follow CSC guidance on Family Week observance

National Family Week will now be celebrated every last week of September as per Proclamation Order No. 60 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and issued Monday, 23 September 2019.

To celebrate the first year of its proclamation, classes have been suspended, along with work in the Executive branch. Other government offices have followed suit, like the Commission on Higher Education, which announced that work at its central and regional offices is suspended effective 3 p.m.

All government agencies should follow the announcement by the Civil Service Commission regarding the National Family Week, now on its 27th year, celebration. It encourages agencies to free employees from work starting 2 p.m. “to join mealtime with their families.”

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said the CSC is a constitutional commission and its pronouncement carries weight. Even the Supreme Court, the highest court of the land, follows the CSC.

“Since there is only one hour between lunch break and 2 p.m., it is practical that there be no work in government or no classes after lunch. The proper response, is to follow. It is well-intentioned and to follow it is a no-regrets option,” Salceda stressed.

The lawmaker issued the statement to help clarify the CSC announcement No. 53 dated 20 September 2019 and signed by chairperson Alicia Dela Rosa-Bala, which shortens office hours on 23 September only, the first day of the Family Week celebration.

The announcement, sent to government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, stated the simultaneous ringing of bells at noon, dubbed “Ring of Family Bell,” at 8 a.m. in State Universities and Colleges and that “government agencies may dismiss their employees at 2 p.m. from work to encourage them to spend mealtime with their families.”

The celebration of Family Week is led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Its theme this year is “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Matatag at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino.” It runs until 28 September.

The Family Week observance aims to help strengthen the Filipino family unity and relationship through meaningful celebration and promotion of Filipino values.