The House of Representatives is “one with the nation” with sympathizing to those affected and who have lost their lives due to the recent typhoons in the country.
During a press conference on Tuesday, the House members mentioned that they won’t be having grand celebrations for Christmas this year. The decision aligns with the Office of the Executive Secretary’s appeal to all government agencies to skip extravagant Christmas celebrations this year.
With that, the members of the Congress affirmed that they are in solidarity with typhoon victims, and will only have a simple celebration on the said date.
“Of course we will sympathize sa lahat ng naapektuhan ng recent calamities. In fact, noong November 30 supposedly may HRep month celebration tayo. It’s a big gathering, supposedly, pero the administration and the leadership of the House and per appeal of the Speaker Martin Romualdez, ay cinancel po natin,” House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada said.
Additionally, Gabonada said that all the cash available for the event’s activities was used for donations and to buy relief goods for typhoon-affected areas.
“We are one with the nation to really call for just a simple celebration, and to be one with our constituents in various districts, lalo yung mga Congressmen and women natin na lubhang naapektuhan nitong mga bagyo,” he assured.
Taguig 2nd District Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora stated that they had always had simple celebrations since she was elected.
“It’s always been simple and we assure you that it will be even simpler. Kung pwede huwag na kami kumain, go gagawin namin. ‘Yun lang naman talaga yung ginagawa namin tuwing Christmas party, never kami naging magarbo. Ibigay na lang natin doon sa mga binagyo,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairman Joel Chua, encouraged all lawmakers to have simple celebrations for their respective districts.
“In fact, siguro I would encourage (ang) lahat ng mga Congressman, pati sa kanilang district to do the same. Lalong-lalo na yung mga distrito na hindi nakaranas (ng bagyo), ay para to at least sympathize naman with the other districts na dumadaan ngayon sa mga pagsubok,” Chua said.
The country had a total of six typhoons this year, affecting hundreds of people in various areas. The most recent Typhoon Pepito, severely damaged homes and infrastructures in some parts of the Bicol region.
