Jonas cancels Christmas parties

CEBU, Philippines -  Since Mandaue City will donate relief goods to victims of Typhoon “Pablo” in New Bataan and Bagangga, Davao Oriental, Mayor Jonas Cortes has canceled the annual Christmas party for all city hall and barangay hall employees.

He has also canceled  the lighting of the Christmas Village the budget of which will come from the departments of city hall.

Jamaal James Calipayan, the mayor’s secretary, said the city government will give 500 packs of goods, each pack consisting of two kilos of rice,10 packs of noodles, and two canned goods, which are not pork products.

He said every ten personnel of each department and barangay employees will shell out ten pesos each to come up with one pack of goods.

Although there are only 3,353 employees at city hall and in the barangays, other departments, such as the Mayor’s Office, will come up with more packs of goods to complete the 500 packs of goods that will be sent to flood-stricken areas in Davao Oriental.

All packs of goods will be forwarded to the Mayor’s Office today as the turnover of packages shall be the highlight of the city’s Ceremonial Lighting on December 15.

During the ceremonial lighting, all city officials and employees as well as barangay officials and employees are directed to converge at the city plaza at 8 p.m. where a program will be held on December 15.

The program includes Inter-barangay Parol competition, message of Mayor Jonas Cortes, turnover of relief donations, countdown, ceremonial lighting, and a fireworks display.

Last year, the city government also cancelled its annual Christmas party to be able to donate to victims of Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City in Mindanao. (FREEMAN)