Manila declares five-day holiday during Francis’ PHL visit

Classes and work in Manila will be suspended from Jan. 15 to 19 during the visit of Pope Francis.

 

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada signed Executive Order 75 mandating the five-day holiday, radio dzBB's Divine Reyes reported.

 

Pope Francis is to visit the Philippines on those days. He will have engagements in Manila and in Leyte.

 

However, Estrada's order excludes those whose offices are involved in:

 

- maintenance of peace and order

- disaster risk management

- traffic management

- health and sanitation

Among the venues in Manila that Pope Francis will visit are the Manila Cathedral, the Quirino Grandstand, the University of the Philippines and Malacañang. He will also stay at the nunciature, the residence of the Papal Nuncio on Taft Avenue. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News