Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called on all government agencies to ensure that their Christmas and year-end celebrations are modest and meaningful, as the nation continues to recover from recent natural disasters. This appeal is intended to show solidarity with Filipinos who are still grappling with the aftermath of these events.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced on Wednesday that the reminder, which was issued jointly with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), seeks to promote empathy and restraint during the holiday season. The guidance reflects the administration’s concern for communities impacted by a series of calamities, including recent earthquakes in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, as well as typhoons that have affected several provinces.

Castro emphasized the importance of celebrating Christmas with consideration for those still in recovery, stressing, “It’s important to celebrate Christmas with thoughtfulness for those still recovering from the many calamities that hit the country.” The reminder comes in the wake of Typhoon Tino, also known internationally as Kalmaegi, which is the 20th tropical cyclone to impact the Philippines this year. The typhoon has caused floods, landslides, and displaced thousands of families across parts of Visayas and Mindanao.