PBBM TO GOV’T AGENCIES:  KEEP CHRISTMAS, YEAR-END CELEBRATIONS SIMPLE

PRESIDENT  Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reminded all government agencies nationwide to keep their Christmas and year-end celebrations simple yet meaningful.

During a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos issued the reminder as the country has been recently hit by devastating natural calamities.

Castro said Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman echoed the President’s reminder.

“Ilang araw bago mag-Pasko, pinaalalahanan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. at ng Department of Budget and Management sa pangunguna ni Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, ang lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan na gawing simple at makabuluhan ang Christmas at year-end celebrations,” Castro said.

Castro said the reminder is in line with the solidarity shown by President Marcos’ administration with Filipinos facing challenges due to a series of natural disasters, including earthquakes in the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as typhoons that have affected several areas of the country.

“Paalala sa mga kawani ng gobyerno, mahalaga ang pagdiriwang ng Pasko na may pag-aalala sa kapwa nating patuloy na bumabangon at nagsisimulang muli mula sa maraming kalamidad na tumama sa bansa,” Castro said.

“Ang mga hakbang na ito ay kasama sa isang inklusibo at may puso na Bagong Pilipinas na tunay na mithiin ng Marcos administration,” the Palace Press Officer added.

In 2024, President Marcos also urged government officials and workers to refrain from lavish Christmas celebrations in solidarity with the thousands of Filipinos affected by the spate of typhoons that hit the country.