Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued a directive to all its offices and schools to minimize the grandeur of Christmas parties this year, following the devastating impact of multiple typhoons that recently struck parts of Luzon. According to Philippines News Agency, this decision aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for government agencies to express solidarity with Filipinos affected by the series of calamities, as six typhoons hit the Philippines within a month. Undersecretary Fatima Lipp Panontongan, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Secretary, emphasized in a memorandum that all DepEd offices and schools should downscale their Christmas festivities and use the resulting savings to donate to communities affected by the disasters. Moreover, DepEd has mandated both regional and division offices to ensure full adherence to the President's directive. Besides limiting party expenses, DepEd offices and schools were also instructed to organize donation drives in the affected a reas, utilizing the savings from reduced Christmas celebrations.