President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed all government agencies to keep their Christmas and year-end celebrations modest this year, emphasizing compassion for Filipinos still reeling from recent natural calamities.
Malacañang said the President’s instruction reflects the nation’s shared grief and determination to recover from the series of earthquakes and typhoons that recently hit Visayas and Mindanao, including Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi), which caused severe flooding and casualties in Cebu.
“Following the recent disasters in the country, President Marcos Jr. and the DBM remind government agencies to keep their holiday celebrations simple,” said Palace official Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil Castro during a press briefing. She added that the President wants civil servants to observe the holidays “with compassion and awareness for those still rebuilding their lives.”
Castro noted that while traditional festivities are appreciated, the President encouraged agencies to channel their resources and attention toward assisting affected communities instead. “It is important to celebrate Christmas with concern for our fellow Filipinos who continue to recover from the disasters that hit the country,” she said.
Earlier, Marcos also instructed Cabinet officials to visit the hardest-hit provinces to ensure that government aid and services are reaching disaster-stricken residents. “The government is making sure that all necessary actions are taken to hasten the recovery of our affected countrymen,” he said, urging the public to “remain alert and heed the advisories of local officials.”
