MANILA - Malacañang on Tuesday announced that work in government offices and classes in public schools will be suspended beginning Wednesday noon to give workers and students ample time to prepare for the observance of Lent.

"Work in government offices, including government-owned and controlled corporations and local government units, and classes in all public schools and state universities are hereby suspended on Wednesday, 28 March 2018, starting at 12 o'clock noon to enable government workers to to prepare for the observance of Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) and Good Friday," a memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea read.

Government agencies whose functions involve "law enforcement, response action to disasters and calamities, and/or performance of other vital services" are expected to still provide services or make stand-by arrangements, the document read.

The Palace said suspension of work in other branches of government and private companies will depend on their respective administrators.

Last week, the Supreme Court announced that all courts nationwide will observe a half-day schedule on Holy Wednesday, except for "courts in cities or municipalities where the local government has declared a whole-day suspension of work."

#HalfDayWork for all courts nationwide on March 28, 2018 (Wed) unless courts are in cities/municipalities where the LGU has declared a whole-day suspension of work, in which case the courts in those cities/municipalities will observe the LGU-directed suspension. pic.twitter.com/FXLIRDRXFv

— Supreme Court PIO (@SCPh_PIO) March 23, 2018

"In order to allow workers in the judiciary who need to travel to the provinces to observe the Lenten break on Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) and Good Friday, Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio has ordered a half-day work schedule on March 28, 2018 for the Supreme Court and all courts nationwide," the Supreme Court said on its official Twitter page.

"Courts located in cities and municipalities where the local government has declared a whole-day suspension of work will observe the whole-day suspension as the court houses are housed in government-owned and controlled buildings," the announcement read.