President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged all government agencies to celebrate Christmas and the New Year simply, in solidarity with Filipinos devastated by recent calamities that hit the country.
The reminder came from Palace press officer Claire Castro as Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) continues to batter Cebu and nearby provinces.
‘This is part of the solidarity of the administration of President Marcos Jr. with the people who are experiencing many trials caused by a series of disasters in the country, from the earthquake that shook the Visayas and Mindanao to the typhoons that hit several parts of the country,’ she said at a briefing.
‘Reminder to government employees: it is important to celebrate Christmas with remembrance of our neighbors who continue to recover and start anew from the numerous calamities that have hit the country,’ Castro also said.
The death toll from Typhoon Tino has reached 52 as of 6 a.m. Wednesday, based on data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Of this number, 50 are from Central Visayas and two are from Eastern Visayas.
Meanwhile, 10 persons were reported injured, while 13 others in Central Visayas were reported missing.
Due to the effects of Tino, Central Visayas has declared a region-wide state of calamity.
As of 10 a.m. Typhoon Tino slightly intensified as it moved away from northern Palawan. It may re-intensify in the next 12 hours over the West Philippine Sea before it exits the Philippine area of responsibility Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.