MANILA: (Bernama-PNA) President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expanded the earlier May 6 to 8 holiday declaration to cover two additional cities in Cebu to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the 48th Asean Summit and Related Meetings in the province, Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.
Under Proclamation 1239 signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto by authority of the President, Cebu City and Mandaue City are now included in the list of cities where May 6 to 8 are declared special non-working days as part of government preparations for the summit.
Proclamation 1239 amends Proclamation 1238 issued on May 4, which initially declared holidays in Lapu-Lapu City and the municipality of Cordova.
Cebu and Mandaue cities were included as they now serve as key operational areas and transport routes for Asean delegates, according to the new presidential proclamation.
"In order to alleviate traffic and to allow the host country to secure the safety of participants in the said event, it is necessary to declare May 6 to 8 as special non-working days also in the City of Cebu and in the City of Mandaue,” Proclamation 1239, signed on May 5, read.
The expanded holiday declaration aims to manage traffic flow, strengthen security measures, and ensure uninterrupted coordination of summit-related activities in the host locations.
The Philippines is hosting the 48th Asean Summit and Related Meetings under a recalibrated approach, scaling down non-essential activities to manage costs amid global supply pressures linked to tensions in the West Asia.
Malacañang earlier announced that around 650 ministerial and senior official meetings for the 48th and 49th Asean Summit and Related Summits will be conducted online instead of face-to-face, as part of efforts to streamline preparations while maintaining substantive outcomes.
Despite the adjustments, the 48th Asean Summit and Related Summits in Cebu on May 8 to 9 will proceed as scheduled, with discussions expected to focus on regional energy security, food security and migrant workers concerns.
The Philippines last hosted the Asean Summit in 2017. - Bernama-PNA
