MANILA, Philippines—The misery suffered by many people in typhoon-hit areas in Mindanao has also put the Philippine National Police in no mood to hold revelries this Christmas season.
The organization’s chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, has ordered police units in the entire country to cancel all preparations for the Christmas party celebrations this year as to sympathize with the victims of typhoon Pablo.
Bartolome said whatever savings that will be generated from the canceled Christmas parties will be donated for relief efforts for calamity victims in the southern part of the country.
“There are many ways of celebrating this traditional event sans the extravagance and lavish preparations usually associated with Christmas parties,” Bartolome said.
“A Mass and a simple get together among personnel over a modest meal serves the same purpose of strengthening the bond of camaraderie and unity that is the real essence of holding a Christmas Party,” he added.
Meanwhile, PNP Spokesman, Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., assured every personnel that their year-end bonuses, including both cash and non-cash benefits, will be given to them.