President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged government officials and workers on Monday to avoid lavish Christmas celebrations in solidarity with the thousands of Filipinos who suffered during the spate of typhoons that hit the country.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said there is no need to issue an order as he believes and trusts in the kindness of government workers who “can unilaterally adopt austerity in their celebrations.”

“Alinsunod sa panawagan ng ating Pangulo, hinihikayat namin ang lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan na iwasan ang mga marangyang pagdiriwang ngayong Pasko,” Bersamin said in a statement.

“This call is in solidarity with the millions of our countrymen who continue to grieve over lives, homes, and livelihoods lost during the six typhoons that pummeled us in a span of less than a month,” he added.

In this regard, Bersamin said government agencies are also encouraged to donate the money saved from observing simple Christmas celebrations to typhoon victims.

He believes that Christmas is all about compassion.

“The true spirit of Christmas implores us to celebrate with compassion, to share our blessings, and to spread cheer. As a people united by love for our fellow men, we can cast away bleakness as we celebrate in this season of joy,” Bersamin said.

“On the part of the government, we will make sure that the Christmas spirit will be felt early by all the affected areas in the form of relief goods and assistance, of infrastructure rebuilt, and of livelihoods restored,” he added.

The Philippine government is one with the Filipino people in remembering the suffering of those who were hit by the typhoons Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel and Pepito.

President Marcos said the government is now working double time to start rebuilding calamity-hit communities while relief operations continue.