AVOID LAVISH CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS, SHARE BLESSINGS WITH TYPHOON VICTIMS – MARCOS

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on all government agencies and offices to keep their Christmas celebrations simple this year and avoid lavish parties in solidarity with victims of the recent tropical cyclones.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said this was in line with the President's call to exemplify the spirit of Christmas by helping those affected by the calamities.

"In accordance with the call of the President, we are urging all government agencies to avoid lavish celebrations this Christmas. This call is in solidarity with the millions of our countrymen who continue to grieve over lives, homes and livelihoods lost during the six typhoons that pummeled us in a span of less than a month,” Bersamin said.

President Marcos called on to government agencies and to the Filipinos to share their blessings with the victims of recent tropical cyclones (Photo courtesy of USAID Philippines)

An official guidance in writing was no longer needed according to Bersamin "because we believe in the kindness of our fellow government workers, whom we fully trust can unilaterally adopt austerity in their celebrations.

The Palace official also said government offices are also urged to donate whatever savings they realize from scaled-down holiday celebrations to calamity-hit communities.

"On the part of the government, we will make sure that the Christmas spirit will be felt early by all the affected areas in the form of relief goods and assistance, of infrastructure rebuilt, and of livelihoods restored," he said.

Marcos also called on Filipinos to share their blessings during the Christmas season with those who have been affected by tropical cyclones, assuring the public that relief efforts are underway in areas hit by Super Typhoon Pepito.

“I hope when Christmas comes, we Filipinos will remember our countrymen who were devastated. I hope that somehow, the things we intend as Christmas presents, let us just give these to those affected as they are suffering,” Marcos stated.

Majority of Luzon and parts of the Visayas are reeling from the effects of torrential rains and typhoon-force winds after a record six consecutive typhoons hit the archipelago since October 21.

Source: GMA Integrated News

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