Manila declares five-day holiday during papal trip

Philippine government to consider extending the holiday to the entire nation.

Manila:  In an executive order, the mayor of Manila has declared a five-day, non-working holiday for Pope Francis’ January 15-19 visit — a decision the Philippine government is considering on a national level.

“For now, the government’s top priority is to ensure the smooth conduct of activities during the papal visit,” Philippine Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told state-run radio station DZRB in an interview published November 30 in leading Philippine newspaper Inquirer.net.

“In order to attain this, we are considering the possible declaration of a holiday (during the visit of Pope Francis).”

At the city level, Manila mayor Joseph Estrada’s executive order has already declared the suspension of classes and a non-working holiday.

Source: Catholic News Agency