Special non-working holiday in Manila for 435th anniversary

In line with the celebration of the City of Manila’s 435th founding anniversary Mayor Lito Atienza announced that today, June 24, has been declared a special non-working day.

Atienza said President Arroyo had long signed Presidential Proclamation 1061 that covers the declaration of June 24, 2006 as a special non-working day in observance of the Araw ng Maynila.

It was signed into law last May 19.

Atienza, in a statement, welcomed the declaration, saying it would release the Manileños from their daily work schedule and give them the opportunity to join in the celebrations.

"We would like to thank President Arroyo and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita for this proclamation. This would enable Manileños to join in the festivities that would mark our city’s 435th founding day," he added.

On this day, Mayor Atienza said they have decided to open the Manila Zoo, the first zoological and botanical garden in Asia, to the public.

They have also lined up several activities today.

A thanksgiving Mass would be held at the renovated Remedios Circle at 7 a.m. to be followed by the wreath-laying ceremonies at the tomb of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi at San Agustin Church in Intramuros, and at the Rajah Sulayman Monument at around 9 a.m.

The mayor will also host lunch for the chairmen of the 897 barangays in the city.

From 3 p.m. until midnight, both lanes of the Roxas Boulevard between Quirino Avenue and Pedro Gil street would be closed to vehicular traffic.

This is in preparation for the concert to be held at the Plaza Rajah Sulayman at 7 p.m. that will feature the Manila Dance Scholars. A fireworks display would take place at 8 p.m. along the Baywalk.