Malacañang suspended government work and classes at all levels in the cities of Manila and Pasay on Oct. 14-15 for the country's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR). Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed on Thursday Memorandum Circular 66, a copy of which was posted on the Official Gazette website, suspending work in government offices and classes at all levels 'in view of the numerous participants expected to travel to and within the Cities of Manila and Pasay.' However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and those performing vital services will continue operations on these dates. 'The suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads,' Bersamin said in MC 66. Hosted by the Philippines for the first time, the APMCDRR will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Oct. 14-18. Conven ed by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the biennial event is expected to draw more than 4,000 participants from 69 countries and highlight disaster risk reduction initiatives and investments of participating nations. Source: Philippines News Agency