Students of Manila-based schools and universities, as well as employees of the Manila city government, will enjoy a five-day holiday in January 2015 coinciding with the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada Thursday signed Executive Order 75 declaring Jan. 15 to 19, 2015, a nonworking holiday in city government offices. No classes will be held on those days in schools in the city.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada . FILE PHOTO
Estrada cited the need to suspend classes and city government offices in anticipation of “millions of people from all over the country expected to come to Manila during the Papal visit.”
The work suspension covers “work in all departments, offices and bureaus of the City Government of Manila except for those involved in the maintenance of peace and order, disaster and risk management, traffic enforcement, health and sanitation,” the order read. “The suspension of work in all private offices in Manila is left to the discretion of their management.”
Meanwhile, the suspension of classes covers all levels in all public and private schools and universities in the city.
Pope Francis will be a guest in a number of events in Manila during his stay in the Philippines. A day after his arrival on the afternoon of Jan. 15, he will visit
Malacañang. On Jan. 16, he will lead a Mass at the Manila Cathedral.
The Pope will also drop by the University of Santo Tomas and celebrate another Mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18 before leaving the following day.
Estrada has ordered the Manila Police District, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Manila Traffic Management Committee, the Manila Health Department and the Department of Public Services to submit their respective peace and security plans for the Papal visit.