The Department of Transportation (DoTr) will forgo its year-end assessment gathering in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to avoid lavish parties as an act of solidarity with Filipinos affected by recent calamities.

On Monday afternoon, the agency shared photos of a memorandum issued by Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez on 30 October, stating that the DoTr and its attached agencies should refrain from holding grand celebrations.

“In recent months, many fellow Filipinos from several regions of the country have been severely affected by natural calamities, including earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and volcanic eruptions,” Lopez emphasized in the memorandum.

He further noted that while year-end celebrations help foster teamwork and boost office morale, such activities “entail the use of government funds and the time and effort of the offices involved in the preparation.”

The Transportation chief also cited the need for transparency in the use of public funds as a consideration.

However, Lopez clarified that simple gatherings within agencies and units may still proceed, provided they do not disrupt office operations. He also encouraged attached agencies to practice prudence if they intend to hold their own events.

In a press conference earlier today, Marcos urged the entire government bureaucracy to avoid extravagant Christmas parties in remembrance of victims of recent disasters. These include Typhoon Tino in Central Visayas, as well as recent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods.