(Pixabay)

Lawmakers expressed support to President Marcos’ call for government officials to avoid lavish Christmas parties to show “solidarity” with Filipinos affected by the recent string of storms that hit the country.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 19, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua urged his fellow legislators to sympathize with those who are currently recovering from the adverse impact of the storms.

“I would encourage lahat ng mga congressman pati sa kanilang mga district to do the same, lalong-lalo na iyung mga distrito na hindi naman nakaranas, para at least to sympathize din naman with the other districts na dumadaan ngayon sa mga pagsubok,” said Chua.

(I would encourage all congressmen and their districts to do the same, especially those districts that have not experienced it, to at least sympathize with the other districts that are now going through these challenges.)

He says that simplicity during this season is aligned with true essence of Christmas.

Malacañang on Tuesday said government agencies should instead donate the money saved from observing simple celebrations to typhoon victims.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a statement, said this is in “solidarity” with the millions of Filipinos who grieve over lives, homes, and livelihoods lost during the six successive typhoons that hit the country in less than a month.

The string of storms started with typhoon “Kristine”, followed closely by “Leon”, “Marce”, “Nikka”, “Ofel” and the recent super typhoon “Pepito”.

For her part, Taguig City 2nd district Rep. Pammy Zamora said simplicity has always been a hallmark of their celebrations in the House of Representatives.

“Ever since naman mula nung nakaupo ako, never naman talaga kami nagkaroon ng magarbong selebrasyon dito, kahit Christmas party” she said.

(Ever since I started my term, we've never really had a fancy celebration here, not even for a Christmas party.)

Zamora assured the public that this year’s celebration will be more modest.

“So, it’s always been simple and we assure you that it will be even simpler,” the congresswoman said.

“Kung pwedeng huwag na kaming kumain, go! Gagawin namin,” she quipped.