Davao City to suspend classes, impose skeleton workforce on Jan. 13

The Davao City local government unit will suspend face-to face classes and impose a skeleton workforce in government offices on January 13 in light of the nationwide “peace rally” of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

The city government said Proclamation No. 01, series of 2025 was issued to "avoid inconvenience brought about by the influx of participants in the upcoming National Rally for Peace organized by Iglesia ni Cristo."

“This measure aims to ensure public order, safety, and the convenience of Dabawenyos as ten (10) major streets within the city's business district will be temporarily closed during the conduct of the peace rally,” the LGU said Thursday.

The proclamation was based on Resolution No. 04022-25 passed by the City Council on January 7 to help ease traffic congestion during the peace rally.

In December last year, the INC announced that it would hold a peace rally to back President Ferdinand Marcos’ stance against the impeachment pushed by certain sectors. 

Marcos had said he is not supportive of any impeachment plan against Vice President Sara Duterte. 

The Davao local government unit also urged private offices and establishments in areas affected by the peace rally to suspend work or shift to work-from-home setup.

During the City Council's deliberation of the road closure ordinance, INC Minister Erano Estudillo said around 300,000 members of the INC will join the event.

Estudillo added that preparations for the national peace rally were completed and will push through whether the permit will be granted or not.

Full road closure will be implemented on the coastal road from Bago Aplaya to Tulip Drive, San Pedro Street, C.M. Recto, C Bangoy, Iñego, Pelayo, Bolton, Rizal, Ilustre, Bonifacio, and Palma Gil from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on January 13 in Davao City. 

The following areas are the venues of the peace rallies across the country based on a social media post of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque:

• Region 1- Quirino Stadium, Vigan, llocos Sur
• Region 2 - Isabela Sports Complex Isabela
• Regions 3, 4A, 4B, NCR - Quirino Grandstand, Manila
• Region 5 - Sawangan Park, Legazpi, Albay
• Palawan - Provincial Capitol of Palawan
• Panay Island - Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand
• Negros Island - Capitol Park and Lagoon, Bacolod City
• Region 7- South Road Properties, Cebu City
• Region 8 - Ormoc City Plaza, Leyte
• Region 9 - Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
• Region 10 - Plaza Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City
• Regions 11 and 12 - Rizal Park, Davao City
• CARAGA Region - Butuan City Sports Complex

—Mariel Celine Serquiña/AOL, GMA Integrated News