MANILA – President Duterte may have dubbed it a “National Day of Protest” and declared work and class suspensions in government offices and public schools, but banks will remain “fully operational” on Thursday, Sept. 21, the 45th anniversary of martial law.
The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) said in a statement that “all member banks will remain fully operational despite the suspension of work in government offices on 21 September 2017.”
This means, the BAP added, that “normal check clearing operations, trading and other financial transactions will be observed to fully serve the banking public.”
Proclamation 319, released Tuesday night, declares Thursday a “National Day of Protest in solidarity with the people’s call against all excesses and shortcomings of the government, and with the people’s desire to uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability in government.”
Memorandum Circular No. 26, issued separately early Wednesday morning by the Office of the Executive Secretary, originally said work would be suspended “in government offices” but presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella subsequently issued a clarification quoting Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea that the suspension of work would “only cover the executive branch of government, including local government units, and public schools at all levels, including state-and LGU- universities and colleges/technical and vocational schools.”
