Mayor scraps Christmas party for El Niño

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy announced Friday that the city government would not hold its general Christmas party this year as part of its preparations for the anticipated Super El Niño phenomenon.

Uy made the announcement during a meeting with all barangay captains in the city.

On Tuesday, the mayor also convened city department managers to finalize proactive measures and strategic plans to address the looming Super El Niño.

During the meeting, Uy emphasized the need to ensure continuous water rationing in affected barangays in close coordination with the Cagayan de Oro City Water District.

The peak of Super El Niño is expected to begin this November and extend through the first quarter of 2027.

Uy assured the public that the local government unit remains fully prepared to safeguard residents and mitigate the effects of the prolonged dry season.

The mayor had also previously adjusted City Hall’s Christmas celebrations in 2024 following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive prohibiting government agencies from giving vehicles as prizes during Christmas parties.

At the time, Uy canceled the planned distribution of cars as prizes for city government employees to comply with the President’s order.

He said the city government was obligated to follow the directive even though the budget had already been prepared, including funds for sports utility vehicles as grand prizes and several motorcycles as consolation prizes for regular, casual and job order employees.