Bureau of Immigration office closed on June 24 for Manila Day

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) office in Manila's Intramuros district will be closed on Monday, June 24, in celebration of Manila Day.

"Our main office (Intramuros, Manila) will be closed on June 24, 2013 (Monday) in celebration of MANILA DAY," it said on its Facebook page.

The BI said regular office will resume on June 25, Tuesday.

President Benigno Aquino III earlier declared June 24 a special non-working day in Manila in celebration of its 442nd Foundation Day.

Aquino issued Proclamation 604 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. last June 14, "to give the people of Manila the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies," the Presidential Communications and Operations Office said.

Manila was the seat of the Spanish colonial government in 1565.

Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Philippines' first Spanish governor-general, proclaimed Manila as the capital city of the country on June 24, 1571, calling it a “distinguished and ever loyal city.” - VVP, GMA News