Authority and required compliance
- The circular is issued by authority of the President.
- Lucas P. Bersamin, Executive Secretary, signs the circular.
- Government offices must implement the prescribed work-from-home arrangement for 31 October 2023.
Purpose and stated policy intent
- The circular provides government employees full opportunity to properly observe All Saints’ Day on 01 November 2023.
- The circular also enables government employees to travel to and from different regions in the country.
- The circular coordinates government work arrangements and school activities for 31 October 2023.
Government work-from-home coverage
- Government offices must implement a work-from-home arrangement on 31 October 2023.
- Synchronous classes in public schools must be conducted on 31 October 2023.
- Agencies must apply the work-from-home directive in government offices for 31 October 2023, subject to vital-service exceptions.
Public and school activity rules
- Public schools must conduct synchronous classes on 31 October 2023.
- The circular ties the school activity schedule to 31 October 2023 in connection with the 01 November 2023 holiday.
Vital-services exception for government agencies
- Agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services must continue usual operations and render necessary services in person.
- Agencies responsible for preparedness/response to disasters and calamities must continue usual operations and render necessary services in person.
- Agencies performing other vital services must continue usual operations and render necessary services in person.
- Such agencies must therefore operate in person despite the work-from-home arrangement.
Private-sector and private-school discretion
- A similar work arrangement for private companies on 31 October 2023 is left to the discretion of their respective heads.
- A similar arrangement for classes in private schools is left to the discretion of their respective heads.
- Discretion for private companies and private schools applies on 31 October 2023 consistent with the circular’s schedule context.
Practical implementation focus
- The circular’s implementation centers on 31 October 2023 to support observance of 01 November 2023.
- Government employees’ work arrangements shift from in-person to work-from-home on 31 October 2023 where covered.
- Covered public schooling requires synchronous classes on 31 October 2023.