Non-working holiday in Manila tomorrow; traffic re-routed

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said that tomorrow, June 24, which is the 433rd Araw ng Maynila, has been declared by Malacañang as a special non-working holiday in the city.

The order declaring June 24, 2004 as a special non-working holiday in Manila, the country’s capital, was contained in Presidential Proclamation 641 issued on May 27, 2004.

"We would like to thank President Arroyo and Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo for this proclamation. This would enable Manileños to join in the festivities that would mark our city’s 433rd foundation day," Atienza said.

Atienza’s inaugural will also be held on the same day, starting with a Thanksgiving Mass at 7 a.m. at the Roxas Boulevard Baywalk across Rajah Sulayman Park. After the Mass, Atienza, who is the only mayor of the city to be elected to three consecutive terms, will take his oath of office before Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide. A luncheon with the city’s barangay chairmen would be held at the Manila Hotel after the oath-taking ceremony.

Later that day at 5 p.m. will be the Gabi ng Pasasalamat fellowship night with barangay chairmen and kagawads at the Roxas Boulevard Baywalk. A concert by the top three Filipino tenors – Nolyn Cabahug, Lemuel de la Cruz and Robert Seña, will start at 8 p.m., the climax of which would be a colorful fireworks display at 9 p.m.

As part of the city’s foundation day celebrations, there will also be the Araw ng Maynila Big Sale and Food Festival at the Avenida Rizal Pedestrian Walkway and Shopping Strip on June 23 and 24, 2004. Aside from the food festival, exhibits and live performances would also be held at Avenida Rizal on the first day of the sale. Free shuttle from the Park and Ride building in Arroceros St. to the Avenida Rizal Pedestrian Walkway and Shopping Strip would also be provided to encourage shoppers to go to the sale.

Closed To Traffic

Both the northbound lanes of Roxas Boulevard from T. M. Kalaw Avenue up to President Quirino Avenue will be closed tomorrow, from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. up to 12 midnight, for celebration of Araw ng Maynila.

Southbound vehicles coming from Del Pan Bridge are advised to turn left to Aduana St., P. Burgos Road or T.M. Kalaw Avenue, to point of destination. Northbound vehicles are advised to turn right to Buendia Avenue, Vito Cruz St. or President Quirino Avenue.

Alternate routes for southbound vehicles are M.H. Del Pilar St., Adriatico St., or Taft Avenue. Alternate routes for northbound vehicles are Mabini St. and Taft Avenue.