Gov’t offices to shun parties

LATTER-DAY EXODUS. Carrying what little remains of their earthly belongings, residents of Tacloban City, Leyte province, evacuate their homes after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” devastated the city. ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

MANILA, Philippines—Some government agencies and even Congress are mulling over plans to tone down or do away entirely with their Christmas parties this year in the wake of the widespread despair caused by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

In a briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said: “I know that some government agencies have declared quietly, internally (to hold simple celebrations or just cancel it) and just make donations. I have no permission to name them now but I know of a lot of agencies that have signified their intent to do just that.”

Valte noted that the government had “always responded” to the prevailing public sentiment when it came to holding parties, including on Christmas, citing the somber mood in 2011 caused by Typhoon “Sendong” and 2012 by Typhoon “Pablo,” which prompted muted merrymaking.

“For us, what is important is the essence of the celebration which is being together even if it is only in the office … tables placed side by side, we’d be happy with that. I don’t think that will be a problem with our peers,” said Valte.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said that members of the House of Representatives were not too keen on holding lavish celebrations next month in view of the series of calamities that hit the country in the last few months. Gil Cabacungan
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