Malacañang widened the coverage of special non-working days in Cebu, while Cebu City leaders shifted position on work suspensions as preparations intensified for the 48th ASEAN Summit and related meetings.
Through Proclamation No. 1239 signed on May 5, 2026, Acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, under the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., declared May 6 to 8 as special non-working days in Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Cebu City, and Mandaue City.
The Palace expanded an earlier directive that only covered Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova, the main host areas in Mactan Island.
Officials said the inclusion of Cebu City and Mandaue City is due to their role as key transit corridors and support hubs for delegates, security teams, and logistics movements tied to summit operations.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival announced the suspension of work in the city from Tuesday, May 6 to Friday, May 8, reversing his earlier statement that ruled out a blanket halt during the ASEAN Summit.
Archival said the city government emphasized that essential operations and services will continue to function to maintain continuity of critical services.
On Monday, Archival said Cebu City would not impose a blanket suspension and would instead manage disruptions on a case-by-case basis, particularly in areas where foreign delegates and support teams are expected to pass or conduct activities.
Malacañang earlier limited the special non-working days to Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova through Proclamation No. 1238 signed on May 4.
The Palace said it issued the measure to ease traffic congestion and strengthen security in areas identified as key venues and movement corridors for visiting delegations.
ASEAN leaders will center the 2026 summit in Cebu on disaster preparedness and energy security as the region faces climate risks and rising fuel costs.
Acting Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said member states agreed to strengthen disaster resilience through early warning systems, faster humanitarian response, and coordinated support for affected communities.
Photo by Jacq Hernandez, PBB Photojournalist
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