Cebu, Mandaue added to May 6–8 non-working days for Asean 2026
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Malacañang expanded the coverage of special non-working days for the Asean Summit, adding Cebu City and Mandaue City to the areas placed under a three-day work suspension from May 6 to 8.
The declaration, issued through Proclamation No. 1239, amended an earlier order that initially covered only Lapu-Lapu City and the Municipality of Cordova, both located on Mactan Island — the main hub of summit activities.
Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, by authority of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., signed the amended proclamation to include Cebu City and Mandaue City, citing their role as key transport routes for Asean delegates.
Malacañang said the expanded coverage aims to “alleviate traffic and allow the host country to secure the safety of participants” during the 48th Asean Summit and Related Meetings, scheduled on May 7 and 8 in Cebu.
With the amendment, work in both government offices and private establishments in Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Cordova will remain suspended from Wednesday to Friday, except for essential services.
Local chief executives echoed the directive and urged the public to comply with advisories.
Meanwhile, Cebu City is still finalizing the guidelines for the special non-working day on Wednesday after the directive was received only early this morning.
Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed the implementation of the special non-working days, in line with national government efforts to manage traffic flow and ensure security during the high-level meetings.
“While these dates are non-working holidays, all essential operations and services shall continue to function as necessary to maintain continuity of critical services,” the mayor said in an official announcement.
Authorities expect the measure to significantly reduce vehicle volume across major thoroughfares connecting Cebu City, Mandaue, and Mactan Island, where convoy movements and tight security protocols will take place.
Cebu City and Mandaue City serve as critical access corridors to Mactan-Cebu International Airport and summit venues, particularly the Mactan Newtown complex and nearby billeting areas.
By limiting workforce movement and daily commuting, officials aim to ease congestion, minimize disruptions during convoy passages, and allow security forces to control key routes more efficiently.
READ: Asean 2026 in Cebu: Travelers urged to arrive early at airport
Cebu, Mandaue integral to Asean Summit 2026
Earlier, Malacañang placed only Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova under special non-working days, recognizing their role as primary hosting areas for ASEAN delegates.
However, authorities later identified Cebu City and Mandaue City as integral to transport and logistics operations, prompting the amendment.
Despite the work suspension, officials clarified that essential services — including healthcare, emergency response, airport operations, and other critical sectors — will continue.
The public has been advised to plan activities ahead, follow traffic advisories, and stay updated with announcements from local government units and traffic authorities.
Cebu will host at least 11 heads of state and large foreign delegations for the ASEAN Summit, with arrivals already underway and heightened security measures in place across key areas.
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