MANILA, Philippines – There will be no classes in all Metro Manila schools on November 17 and 20 due to the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which is being hosted by the Philippines.
In a memorandum dated August 10 and made public on Tuesday, September 15, Department of Education (DepEd) director for National Capital Region (NCR) Luz Almeda said classes will be suspended "for security reasons and to ease traffic congestion."
Proclamation No. 1072 already declared November 18 and 19 as special non-working days in NCR, since Manila will host the 2015 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on those dates.
With the DepEd memorandum, classes in Metro Manila will be suspended for 4 days – from November 17 (Tuesday) to 20 (Friday) – due to APEC.
"In this connection, schools divisions are given the discretion to determine the schedule of make-up classes for the 2-day suspension of classes occasioned by the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting," Almeda wrote.
She added: "The schools are directed to include the importance and benefits of APEC in the lessons of Araling Panlipunan."
Almeda also reminded school principals to still comply with the required 201 school days for school year 2015-2016. – Jee Y. Geronimo/Rappler.com