CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – Two municipalities in this province have decided to cancel Christmas parties as a gesture of sympathy to their constituents who experienced hardship after successive typhoons hit the province last month.
YLAGAN
Puerto Galera was the first to skip year-end gatherings among its employees when Mayor Robinhood D. Ylagan directed his department heads early this month to refrain from conducting festive occasions.
“The true spirit of Christmas implores us to celebrate with compassion, to share our blessings, and to spread cheer,” said Ylagan in his memorandum dated Dec. 1.
Ylagan cited in his directive President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to observe austerity measures in Christmas or year-end parties by not using public funds for these occasions to show solidarity with earthquake and typhoon victims across the country.
The town of Mansalay in southern Oriental Mindoro also chose to forego Christmas parties in sympathy with typhoon victims.
MALIWANAG
In his memorandum addressed to all department chiefs, Mayor Ferdinand M. Maliwanag stressed that year-end gatherings organized by local government unit offices, including those funded through personal contributions, are cancelled.
“This decision is also a gesture of sympathy and respect for the many families in Mansalay who continue to struggle with the aftermath of the calamities. We stand with them in rebuilding and recovery,” said Maliwanag in his memorandum dated Dec. 12, 2025.
Maliwanag said recent typhoon ‘’Wilma’’ flooded nine out of 17 barangays in his town.