The Marcos administration has broadened the scope of a previously announced work suspension tied to the 48th ASEAN Summit, with Cebu City and Mandaue City now added to the list of areas observing special non-working days from May 6 to 8, 2026. The move comes just one day after the original declaration was signed, reflecting how rapidly summit preparations can shift.
Acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto signed Proclamation No. 1239 on May 5, 2026, exercising authority delegated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The new proclamation formally amends Proclamation No. 1238, which had been issued on May 4 and covered only Lapu-Lapu City and the Municipality of Cordova — both situated on Mactan Island.
Four Cebu-Area LGUs Now Included in Work Suspension
With the amendment in place, four local government units in Cebu Province are now under the special non-working day designation: the City of Cebu, the City of Mandaue, the City of Lapu-Lapu, and the Municipality of Cordova. All four jurisdictions will observe the suspension of work from May 6 through May 8, 2026, coinciding with the height of summit activities.
The original proclamation had been geographically limited to Mactan Island, where most ASEAN delegations are being housed throughout the duration of the meetings. However, the need to manage movement across the broader Cebu metropolitan area prompted the swift expansion of the coverage zone.
The rapid back-to-back issuance of the two proclamations illustrates the fluid and complex logistics involved in hosting a high-profile regional diplomatic gathering that draws leaders and senior officials from across Southeast Asia.
Delegate Safety and Traffic Relief Behind the Decision
Malacañang explained that the addition of Cebu City and Mandaue City was driven by their roles as primary land transport corridors for ASEAN delegates travelling between the summit venues. Officials pointed to traffic decongestion and the physical security of participating delegations as the main justifications for widening the work holiday.
The proclamation itself stated: "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."
By reducing the volume of civilian vehicular and foot traffic along key routes during those three days, authorities aim to create clearer, more secure pathways for motorcades and shuttle movements serving the foreign delegations.
Summit Activities Centered at Mactan Venues
The Philippines is hosting the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, with the core program unfolding at venues on Mactan Island. Senior Officials' Meetings and Ministerial Preparatory Meetings are set for May 6 to 7 at two internationally recognized resort properties: Dusit Thani Mactan and Shangri-La Mactan.
The summit's formal opening is scheduled for May 8 at the Mactan Expo in Mactan Newtown, after which leaders will convene for a series of plenary meetings, a working lunch, and a retreat session at Shangri-La Mactan. The choice of venue underscores the Philippine government's intent to highlight the country's world-class hospitality and convention infrastructure.
At least 11 heads of state representing the 10-member ASEAN bloc are expected to attend. Member nations include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The agenda is expected to tackle regional economic cooperation, maritime security concerns, and broader strategic partnerships among member states.
Over 7,300 Security Personnel Mobilized
To safeguard the summit, the Philippine government has assembled a security force exceeding 7,300 personnel drawn from multiple government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and various specialized security and emergency response units.
The security deployment is not limited to the immediate conference venues. It extends across transportation corridors, international airports, and delegation accommodation facilities throughout the Cebu area. Such a broad security footprint is consistent with standard protocols for summits that bring together multiple heads of state simultaneously.
The scale of the security operation further explains the rationale for reducing civilian activity across several cities during the critical days of the summit, minimizing variables that could complicate protection arrangements for foreign dignitaries.
Pay Rules for Workers During Special Non-Working Days
Employees in the four affected local government units should be aware of applicable wage rules under Department of Labor and Employment guidelines. The fundamental principle governing special non-working days is "no work, no pay" — meaning workers who opt to stay home during May 6 to 8 are not entitled to their regular daily wage for those days.
On the other hand, employees who are required to report for work or who voluntarily render service during the special non-working days will receive an additional 30 percent of their regular daily rate for the first eight hours worked. This premium is intended to compensate those whose roles require continued operation regardless of the declared suspension.
The guidelines provide employers in the covered cities with sufficient flexibility to calibrate their operations — some establishments may close entirely for the three-day period, while others, particularly those providing essential goods and services, may continue functioning under the prescribed wage framework.
Legal Basis and Documentation
The amended proclamation was certified as a true copy by Atty. Lovely V. Tolentino-Nava, Director IV of the Malacañang Records Office, fulfilling the standard authentication requirements for official presidential directives. This certification ensures the document carries full legal weight and can be relied upon by affected local governments, employers, and workers.
Presidential proclamations of this nature — declaring special non-working days to facilitate large-scale national or international events — are a well-established tool in Philippine governance. They allow the executive branch to respond efficiently to evolving logistical and security demands without requiring legislative intervention.
The fact that Proclamation No. 1239 followed Proclamation No. 1238 by a single day serves as a practical demonstration of the government's capacity to make real-time adjustments as the operational requirements of a major international event come into sharper focus in the days immediately preceding the summit's opening.