Malacañang has suspended work in government offices and classes in all levels in the cities of Manila and Pasay on Oct. 14 to 15 due to the expected volume of participants traveling within the cities for the 10th session of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).

Through Memorandum Circular No. 66 dated Oct. 10, President Marcos said he ordered the suspension of classes and work in government offices to allow the organized conduct of the conference which will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

"In view of the numerous participants expected to travel to and within the Cities of Manila and Pasay on 14 and 15 October 2024 for the opening of APMCDRR in PICC, and to allow for the organized conduct of the APMCDRR, work in government offices and classes at all levels in the Cities of Manila and Pasay shall be suspended on 14 and 15 October 2024," the circular read.

However, agencies, whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and the performance of other vital services, shall continue their operations and render the necessary services.

The suspension of work for private companies and offices, on the other hand, is left to the discretion of their respective heads.

The Philippines, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, will host the 10th Session of the APMCDRR on Oct. 14 to 18 with the theme, "Surge to 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction."