THE Cebu City Government has decided to forgo extravagant Christmas celebrations to show solidarity with typhoon victims in northern Luzon, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive for public officials to demonstrate empathy and austerity.

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia announced the decision on Monday, November 25, 2024. He urged department heads to avoid excessive spending during the holiday season.

Garcia emphasized the need for practical adjustments, saying that guidelines would be set to define what qualifies as lavish. He explained that the City would adopt the same measures as last year, maintaining its budget.

He refrained from disclosing the exact allocation but highlighted that Cebu City’s 7,800 employees outnumber those in Mandaue City, where a proposed P16 million Christmas budget has drawn criticism for nearly doubling last year’s P7 million.

Cebu City has allocated P15 million for holiday expenses under its reduced 2024 budget.

However, the mayor assured that curbing extravagance would help save resources for more urgent needs.

Meanwhile, Garcia approved the P322.8 million Supplemental Budget 3, funding a P25,000 year-end bonus for regular and casual employees, cash assistance for barangay workers, and the first tranche of a salary increase mandated by Malacañang.

President Marcos earlier called on government workers to forego lavish celebrations in light of the six typhoons, including Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito that devastated Luzon in November.

Government agencies were encouraged to redirect funds for celebrations to support typhoon victims instead. Typhoon Kristine, the deadliest this year, severely affected Calabarzon and Bicol, submerging entire communities.(MyTVCebu)

• Tags
• #Cebu City Government
• #Christmas Celebrations
• #Typhoon Victims
• #President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
• #Raymond Garcia
• #Department Heads