Quezon City and the City of Manila have officially announced the suspension of classes on Monday, July 27, in anticipation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued Executive Orders No. 23 and 24 to manage traffic congestion and ensure public order near the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
Under EO 23, all public and private school classes across every academic level within the city are called off.
“Residents and students of Quezon City may be hampered by road closures which will affect both motorists and the riding public,” Belmonte stated in the order.
In addition, EO 24 imposes a citywide ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the day of the address.
Meanwhile, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso directed a citywide suspension covering both in-person and online instruction for all learning levels—from kindergarten through tertiary institutions—in both public and private sectors.
“In observance of the 5th State of the Nation Address … I am now ordering the suspension of all classes, both face-to-face and online,” Domagoso said on his program “Talk to the People” on Thursday.
“This (is) to encourage all Manileños and everyone, especially our students and educators, to watch and follow the President’s address to the nation,” he added.
Domagoso advised students residing outside Manila who attend local institutions to take note of the announcement and encouraged learners to spend the class-free day safely and constructively.