THE Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) will continue to suspend work in all government offices every Friday afternoon until the last Friday of July 2025, in line with Executive Order No. 0001, series of 2025.
The order, aimed at preventing the spread of monkeypox (Mpox) and other respiratory illnesses, mandates that government work will end at noon every Friday to allow for mandatory disinfection of all government buildings.
“Pursuant to Executive Order No. 0001, s. In 2025, the City Government of Island Garden City of Samal will continue the mandatory disinfection of all government buildings and suspension of work every Friday,” the Samal Island Information Office announced in a Facebook post on July 3, 2025.
Emergency and health services will remain fully operational during the suspension.
The city first implemented the Friday disinfection protocol on May 8, 2025, affecting the New City Hall, as well as local government offices and satellite facilities in Babak, Peñaplata, and Kaputian Districts.
The city also reminded that Samal Island City College may switch to asynchronous class schedules if disinfection activities disrupt regular academic operations.
Previously, on February 14, 2025, the LGU also suspended government office work from noon for disinfection, citing CSC-DOH-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2020, which mandates workplace safety measures to protect government employees from emerging infectious diseases.
These routine disinfection efforts form part of IGACOS’ ongoing strategy to safeguard public health and ensure a safe working environment for government personnel. RGP