Palace expands holiday coverage for ASEAN Summit

CEBU, Philippines — Malacañang has amended an earlier proclamation to expand the coverage of special non-working days in Cebu as part of security measures for the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit and related meetings.

Under Proclamation No. 1239, signed on May 5, 2026 by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, May 6 to 8, 2026 were declared special non-working days in the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Cebu, as well as in the town of Cordova.

The new issuance amended Proclamation No. 1238, which initially covered only Lapu-Lapu City and the Municipality of Cordova.

Malacañang said the inclusion of Cebu City and Mandaue City was necessary, as both areas have been identified as key locations and transport routes for delegates attending the 48th ASEAN Summit.

The revision recognized Cebu City and Mandaue as vital transport corridors and billeting areas for ASEAN delegates, making them equally affected by traffic and security concerns.

“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 06–08 May 2026 as special (non-working) days also in the City of Cebu and in the City of Mandaue,” part of the revised proclamation reads.

Because the announcement was released only on the morning of May 6, many employees had already reported for work or were en route to their offices when the news broke.

In Cebu City, Administrator Engr. Albert T. Tan immediately issued a memorandum directing the suspension of work in non-essential offices, while ensuring the continuation of essential services and the implementation of skeletal workforce arrangements for frontline units.

“Department heads must identify personnel required for duty under skeletal arrangements, ensuring fairness and efficiency,” the memo stressed, adding that all offices must strictly comply and report any issues to the Office of the City Administrator.

Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed the city’s compliance with the directive from Malacañang.

“This declaration is in line with government measures to support the conduct of the ASEAN Summit and ensure public safety and efficient traffic management… While these dates are non-working holidays, all essential operations and services shall continue to function as necessary to maintain continuity of critical services. We encourage everyone to plan accordingly and stay guided by further advisories from local authorities,” Archival said in a post.

Operations at the Cebu Provincial Capitol were likewise reduced to a skeletal workforce from May 6 to 8, 2026 following the declaration.

In a memorandum dated May 6, 2026, Provincial Administrator Joseph “Ace” H. Durano confirmed the suspension of work across Capitol offices during the three-day period.

“Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1239 s. 2026 of the Office of the President… work in the Cebu Provincial Government is hereby suspended effective 06 May 2026 until 08 May 2026,” the memo reads.

Despite the suspension, selected frontline and essential offices are required to maintain operations under skeletal workforce arrangements.

These include the Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial General Services Office (PGSO), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Provincial Health Office (PHO), and the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO).

The memorandum did not specify the number of personnel to be retained but emphasized the need to ensure continuity of essential government services.

The skeletal workforce setup is expected to address urgent and critical functions, particularly those related to public safety, health services, and ongoing government operations.

At the same time, the Capitol clarified that previously scheduled activities will proceed as planned despite the work suspension.

“Pre-scheduled strategic planning, workshops, trainings, tournaments and such other activities shall continue as scheduled,” the memorandum stated.

The implementation of the skeletal workforce aligns with broader security and logistical measures in Metro Cebu in anticipation of the ASEAN Summit.

The Department of Health Central Visayas also issued its own holiday advisory, suspending work at its regional and provincial offices in Cebu effective May 6.

However, it clarified that critical units such as the Regional Health Emergency Management Services (RHEMS) and the Subnational Blood Center for Visayas (SNBCV) will remain operational to ensure uninterrupted delivery of health services.

Regular operations are set to resume on May 11. For emergencies, the DOH advised the public to proceed to the nearest health facility or contact its 24/7 Patient Navigation and Referral Unit and Emergency Operations Center. — Jonnavie Villa /FPL (FREEMAN)