Be mindful. Be simple.
This was the reminder of Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno to all officials and staff of the OCD with regards to the conduct of Christmas and year-end assessments.
Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of “mindful and simple conduct” of this year’s festivities in light of recent calamities that affected the nation.
“This decision reflects our Office's sensitivity to the hardships faced by many Filipinos due to the recent calamities and aligns with our commitment and compassion during these challenging times,” he said on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
The civil defense administrator bared that he issued a memorandum which requires all OCD personnel to adhere to specific guidelines for the conduct of Christmas parties and year-end assessments.
The memorandum instructs all OCD offices and services to approach holiday activities “with consideration and empathy, fostering a spirit of unity during these difficult times.”
“All concerned Offices and Services are required to follow these guidelines to ensure that celebrations remain respectful and considerate of the circumstances faced by many Filipinos,” Nepomuceno said.
Earlier, President Marcos Jr. told government agencies to refrain from holding lavish celebrations during the holiday season.
Last month, six successive typhoons struck the country, killing more than 100 persons, affecting millions of Filipinos and dealing billions worth of damage to the agriculture and infrastructure.
The shearline, or the convergence of cold and warm winds which trigger rains, and northeast monsoon (amihan) have also been affecting some parts of Luzon this week.