Malacañang on Wednesday, December 17, released Memorandum Circular No. 110 urging national government agencies (NGAs) to avoid lavish and grandiose Christmas and year-end celebrations.
The memorandum, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on December 15, was issued “in solidarity will all the Filipinos still recovering from recent disasters.”
It emphasized the need for austerity measures to ensure responsible use of public funds during the holiday season.
“In light of recent natural disasters and calamities in the country, it is necessary to adopt austerity measures during the Christmas season to ensure greater efficiency in public spending, prevent the misuse of government resources, promote a culture of simplicity in the bureaucracy, and support the government’s efforts to prioritize essential programs and services,” part of the document read.
The directive applies to all NGAs and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, while local government units are encouraged to follow the same approach.
“All NGAs and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby directed, and local government units are hereby encouraged, to observe austerity in the celebration of the Christmas season, and to keep Christmas and year-end celebrations simple and meaningful, in solidarity will all the Filipinos still recovering from recent disasters,” it added.
Agency heads were also instructed to strictly observe existing laws and regulations on the prudent use of government funds. The order takes effect immediately.