ASEAN holidays halt work, classes in 4 Cebu LGUs

Local

WORK and classes are suspended from May 6 to 8 across four key Cebu localities after Malacañang declared special non-working days to support the 48th ASEAN Summit and ensure security and traffic management.

The declaration, issued through Proclamation No. 1239, amends an earlier order and expands coverage to include Cebu City and Mandaue City, alongside Lapu-Lapu City and the Municipality of Cordova.

Acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto signed the proclamation by authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., citing the need to ease congestion and secure routes for ASEAN delegates.

“[I]n order to alleviate traffic and to allow the host country to secure the safety of participants… it is necessary to declare [these dates] as special (non-working) days,” the proclamation read.

The expanded order places Cebu City and Mandaue City, both identified as critical transport corridors, under the same non-working holiday status earlier granted to Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival reiterated the directive in a public advisory.

He reminded residents that while May 6 to 8 are non-working holidays, “essential operations and services shall continue to function” to ensure continuity of critical services.

In Mandaue City, local officials confirmed the city’s inclusion in the updated proclamation. It noted its major thoroughfares are expected to serve as key transit routes for summit delegates.

Authorities said monitoring and security measures remain in place throughout the three-day period.

Meanwhile, several universities and colleges in affected Cebu localities have announced the suspension of onsite classes and work during the three-day period, although not all schools across the covered areas have issued similar declarations.

Some institutions have shifted to online learning instead.

Among those that announced adjustments are:

University of the Philippines Cebu (onsite classes and work suspended; classes shift online)

University of Cebu (all campuses and levels)

Cebu Technological University – Main Campus

Cebu Normal University

University of Southern Philippines Foundation

Cebu Doctors’ University

Southwestern University Phinma

University of San Jose -Recoletos

The differing arrangements reflect institutional discretion in implementing the proclamation while aligning with broader efforts to limit movement in key areas hosting ASEAN-related activities.

Authorities have advised the public to plan ahead, expect traffic rerouting, and monitor further announcements as summit-related events continue through May 8.(TGP)