Classes suspended in Metro Manila for SONA, INC anniversary.

To make way for two national events, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd) suspended classes in all levels in Metro Manila on Monday.

On Saturday, the two government agencies said that they were suspending classes not only due to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's State of the Nation Address (SONA) but also for the national observance of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Day.

"I am declaring no classes in colleges and universities on Monday... 'Yung mga nasa probinsya ay magpupuntahan lahat dito [Those in the provinces would surely be flocking to Metro Manila ] so we'll be having a problem of traffic congestion ," CHED Chairman Emmanuel Angeles said in a radio interview.

The DepEd also cited the anticipated heavy traffic as its reason for the class suspension.

"Dahil po sa dalawang major event ang mangyayari… lahat ng klase sa pre-elementary, elementary at high school levels will be suspended dahil inasahan natin na may traffic congestions na mangyayari," said DepEd Metro Manila director Teresita Domalanta.

[Because of the two major events all classes in the pre-elementary, elementary and high school levels will be suspended since we expect traffic congestions to happen.]

Earlier, the DepEd had announced the suspension of 23 schools near the Batasan Pambansa Complex, where Arroyo would be delivering her speech, due to massive protest movements and the closure of a portion of the Commonwealth Avenue, reports said.

Arroyo also earlier declared July 27 as a holiday in observance of the 95th founding anniversary of religious group Iglesia ni Cristo. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV