Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has instructed all police commanders to implement strict cost-cutting measures and avoid lavish spending for upcoming holiday events in alignment with Malacañang’s directive for modest celebrations.
The order comes in response to the ongoing impacts of El Niño, recent calamities, economic pressures, and rising global fuel costs that have driven up transportation expenses and basic commodity prices nationwide.
Nartatez emphasized that police offices should keep year-end gatherings simple to redirect resources toward strengthening public services and addressing broader national challenges.
“Amid the effects of El Niño in the country, as well as previous calamities and other economic factors, we acknowledge the need to adopt austerity measures this holiday season to ensure greater efficiency in public spending,” Nartatez said.
“Our police offices and units are instructed to keep holiday parties and activities simple to redirect resources toward addressing national concerns and strengthening public services,” he added.
As law enforcement frontliners, Nartatez stressed the importance of setting a positive example for other government agencies and the general public through compliance with national austerity guidelines.
“Christmas and year-end gatherings can be held in a simple yet meaningful activity. Let us set a good example to all our kababayan,” he noted.