President Rodrigo Duterte has declared November 13-15 as special non-working days in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Pampanga provinces due to the country's hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Proclamation No. 332, which Duterte signed on October 23, 2017, cited the Philippines' hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in those days.

While most of the events will be in the National Capital Region, Bulacan and Pampanga were covered by the proclamation because various activities directly connected with the summits to be attended by the leaders of ASEAN leaders and dialogue partners, such as Japan, China, and the United States, will also be held in Clark, Pampanga.

"The ASEAN 2017 Organizing Council has recommended that 13-15 November 2017 be declared as special (non-working) days in the NCR and the Provinces of of Bulacan and Pamapanga, as these areas will be directly affected by the said activities," the proclamation read.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump are among the leaders who are expected to attend the summits. Celerina Monte/DMS