MANILA - Malacañang on Tuesday said work in government offices and classes in all public schools will be suspended on September 21.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said a memorandum circular will be issued suspending government work, both local and national, and classes in all public schools, state colleges and universities that day.

Abella said the suspension of work and classes on the national day of protest declared by President Rodrigo Duterte was "set aside for people to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and to seek redress for their grievances against the government, past or present."

The decision to suspend work and classes will be left to private offices and schools, he said.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, the President said he would not discourage the public from joining mass actions around the country in protest to some of his policies.

“I have declared it as a day of protest. Lahat ng gustong mag-protesta laban sa gobyerno, pulis o military, magbabaan kayo dyan,” Duterte said.

“Kaming mga taga-gobyerno, mag-protesta rin, kasi ang aming sahod maliit, wala kamng mga equipment.”

• Duterte: Sept 21 not a holiday but...

Progressive and opposition groups have scheduled mass actions on September 21 to protest the government’s war on drugs and the deaths being linked to it, as well as the perceived special treatment being given by the government to the Marcoses.