THE Philippine National Police (PNP) plans to skip expensive Christmas celebrations in 2024, instead allocating funding to areas affected by the recent series of typhoons.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged government agencies to avoid costly Christmas parties in solidarity with those devastated by the typhoons.
Director Maj. Gen. Roderick Alba, head of the PNP Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR), stated that the PNP has never prioritized celebrations. While many are celebrating, the police remain busy monitoring communities and streets during the holiday season.
According to him, the PNP leadership would let regional directors and chiefs of national support units pick what form of celebration is acceptable for them. However, he underscored that the directive is clear: keep the celebrations simple.
The appeal to avoid lavish parties comes in light of the six consecutive typhoons that have struck and caused damage to the country.
The mentioned typhoons are Super Typhoon Pepito, Super Typhoon Ofel, and Typhoon Nika this month of November, and Typhoon Leon and Kristine in the month of October.