The Philippine national government through the Malacañang may declare the five-day visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines in January 2015, but they advised the Filipino public to wait for an official announcement.
According to the latest statement released by Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., the government is doing its best to make the January 15 to 19, 2015 Papal visit successful. The declaration of holidays during the Papal visit would help authorities manage traffic in Metro Manila more efficiently, particularly in major road networks that the papal motorcade is expected to pass.
Last November 2014, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada already declared a four-day holiday during the papal visit in the country’s capital. The former president of the Republic turned City Mayor also explained that Manila has to ensure the security of Pope Francis when he visits the Manila Cathedral, the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, the University of Sto. Tomas and the residence of the Papal Nuncio in Manila.
The national government through the Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier activated its Joint Task Force Papal Visit 2015 to ensure public safety during the visit of the world’s leader of the one-billion strong Roman Catholics.