November 16–18 Metro Manila Temporary Holiday — ASEAN Summit, 5-Day Long Weekend if Combined with the Weekend

📌 On September 22, Malacanang Palace declared November 16 (Mon) to November 18 (Wed) as special non-working days in Metro Manila (NCR).
This is due to the 49th ASEAN Summit being held in Manila, and combining it with the weekend (Nov 14–15) creates a 5-day long weekend. This applies to both expats and office workers living in Metro Manila and travelers visiting Manila during this period.

■ What Changes
· Presidential Proclamation No. 1447 (signed September 17): November 16, 17, and 18 declared special non-working days in the NCR.
· Reason: To ease traffic congestion during the summit and ensure the security and safety of heads of state and delegates.
· Main venue is the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center) in Pasay, with Coconut Palace and others also being used. President Marcos personally inspected the PICC on October 2.
· Related meetings will follow, including the ASEAN Maritime Forum on the 17th and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum on the 18th.

■ Impact — Pay Rules (Department of Labor and Employment - DOLE)
· Employees who do not work: "No work, no pay" principle applies (unless company policy or a collective bargaining agreement is more favorable).
· Employees who work: 130% of the basic pay for the first 8 hours; overtime pay is hourly rate × 130% × 130%.
· If the day is a rest day and the employee works: 150% for the first 8 hours.
· Expats employing Filipino staff must factor this into their November payroll calculations.

■ Tips for Expats and Travelers
· The police, military, and MMDA are setting up a joint security plan, and traffic restrictions are expected around the PICC area in Pasay and along the routes of the leaders. Specific restricted areas have not been announced yet, so check MMDA announcements as the dates get closer.
· If you have travel plans through Manila Airport (NAIA) around the 15th, it is safer to leave earlier than usual.
· Handle government office and bank transactions (such as Bureau of Immigration paperwork) in advance, avoiding November 16–18. The holiday applies only to the NCR; other regions like Angeles, Clark, and Cebu will operate as usual.

■ Sources
Presidential Communications Office PCO·PIA (9/22), Philstar (9/23, 10/3), Inquirer (9/22), Manila Times (9/22, 10/1), Daily Tribune (9/23), Rolling Stone Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment - DOLE (10/1)

■ Photos
· President Marcos inspecting the PICC meeting venue on October 2 (Philstar)
· ASEAN leaders for the year the Philippines holds the chairmanship (Philstar file photo)