Keep Christmas parties simple, government agencies told

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos has ordered all government agencies to ensure simple Christmas and year-end celebrations in consideration of those affected by recent calamities.

At a press conference, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro noted that many Filipinos have yet to recover following the strong earthquakes in the Visayas and Mindanao and the typhoons that hit the country.

“President Marcos and the DBM (Department of Budget and Management), led by Secretary (Amenah) Pangandaman remind all government agencies to keep Christmas and yearend celebrations simple and meaningful. Reminder to government employees, it is important to celebrate Christmas with consideration for our fellow citizens who continue to rise and start anew from the many calamities that have hit the country. These steps are included in the inclusive and heart-filled Bagong Pilipinas that is the true goal of the Marcos administration,” Castro said.

The Office of Civil Defense reported that more than 60 people died and more than 20 are still missing because of Typhoon Tino.

Meanwhile, Pangandaman announced that government employees across the country can expect to receive their yearend bonus and P5,000 cash gift distributed alongside the first agency payroll for November 2025, in accordance with the provisions outlined in Budget Circular 2024-3.

Castro said the DBM approved the release of P63.69 billion to fund the yearend bonus of civilian and uniformed personnel and another P9.24 billion to finance the distribution of P5,000 cash gift to more than 1.85 million government workers stationed in various offices nationwide.

Pangandaman said the yearend bonus is equivalent to one month of basic pay as of Oct. 31, and the P5,000 cash gift is given annually to reward the hard work and dedication of government workers nationwide.

Under DBM rules, employees who have rendered at least four months of service from Jan. 1 and are still in government service as of Oct. 31 are entitled to the yearend bonus and cash gift.