MANILA, Philippines – Due to the series of typhoons experienced by the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has an important reminder for government agencies especially since the holiday season is approaching.
In a statement issued by the Office of the Executive Secretary on Tuesday, November 19, all government agencies are encouraged to avoid the lavish celebration of Christmas.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Office of the President |
"Alinsunod sa panawagan ng ating Pangulo, hinihikayat namin ang lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan na iwasan ang mga marangyang pagdiriwang ngayong Pasko," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement.
Bersamin also said that "an official guidance in writing need no longer be issued because we believe in the kindness of our fellow government workers, whom we fully trust can unilaterally adopt austerity in their celebrations."
Government agencies were also urged to donate to areas that have been ravaged by typhoons in recent weeks.
"The true spirit of Christmas implores us to celebrate with compassion, to share our blessings, and to spread cheer. As a people united by love for our fellow men, we can cast away bleakness as we celebrate in this season of joy."
"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," the statement added.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Presidential Communications Office |
Recently, a series of typhoons hit the country and left a lot of damage in some parts of Luzon and Visayas. The last typhoon to hit the country was Super Typhoon Pepito.
In the situational report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday, November 18, it appears that typhoons Nika, Ofel and Pepito affected 1,145,942 individuals or 295,576 families in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
— Carl Santiago, The Summit Express
