CSC Issues Guidelines on Government Christmas Parties in the Philippines
Government Christmas parties should not use public funds and solicitation is not allowed as per the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Now that it is December once again, Christmas parties are surely left and right. Students in schools have Christmas parties and many families also organize a party in celebration of Christmas as well as a form of reunion. Offices also hold Christmas parties.
However, following the series of typhoons that have hit the Philippines and left several areas under a State of Calamity, Pres. Bongbong Marcos previously told the government offices to avoid big Christmas celebrations. The Chief Executive wants the money saved by the different offices to be donated to the victims of typhoons.
Severe tropical storm Kristine has left several areas under a State of Calamity. Seventy-eight cities and municipalities in the Bicol region are among those that were greatly affected by the natural calamity with its strong winds and heavy rains.
In Calabarzon, 63 cities were left devastated by the storm and 13 areas in Eastern Visayas are under a State of Calamity. Aside from Kristine, typhoons Nika, Ofel, and Pepito also damaged several areas in the Philippines. The national government has faith that the government agencies will adhere to the call of the President to donate whatever savings they have put up from staying away from lavish Christmas celebrations.
“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,” the President said.
Recently, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued some reminders regarding the government Christmas parties as well as year-end events. During an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo, CSC Commissioner Aileen Lourdes Lizada said that public funds cannot be used for the Christmas parties of the state offices.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, instead, the offices can use pooled money for their government Christmas parties. The Commissioner stressed that the office should not be turned into a private venue for the parties. The government offices must also not implement solicitation with regards to their Christmas parties and year-end events.
The CSC Commissioner also warned the government employees from conducting Christmas caroling and accepting food items or sponsored venues from private entities. Based on the report, expenditures are allowed with regards to the year-end assessments but there must be a project design and proposal approved by the head of the agency.
During the interview, CSC Commissioner Aileen Lourdes Lizada stressed that government employees remain as public officials whether they are in a public or private setting.