Work and classes in all levels are suspended on October 14 to 15, Monday and Tuesday next week, for the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Malacañang announced on Thursday.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular no. 66 to enforce the suspension order citing the number of participants expected to travel within the cities of Manila and Pasay on the said dates.
The Philippines is hosting the 10th session of the aforementioned conference at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City with the theme “Surge to 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction.”
The suspension order does not cover agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or perform other vital public services.
“The suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads,” Bersamin said in the memo.