Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered all offices of Department of Transportation (DOTr) and attached agencies to refrain from holding "lavish" year-end and holiday celebrations in "solidarity with victims of successive calamities."

In a memorandum issued on October 30, 2025, Lopez advised all sectoral and attached agencies to skip extravagant parties and instead opt for simple gatherings, if necessary, that will not disrupt work operations or misuse public funds.

Lopez explained that while year-end events traditionally boost morale and unity among employees, such activities “entail the use of government funds and the time and effort of the offices involved in the preparation.”

“In recent months, many fellow Filipinos from several regions of the country have been severely affected by natural calamities, including earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and volcanic eruptions,” Lopez noted in his memorandum.

Moreover, Lopez also extended sympathy to Filipinos who have recently suffered from various natural disasters.

“It is deemed prudent and sensitive to forego large-scale celebrations this year,” the Acting Secretary noted.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Malacañang said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the entire government agencies to keep their Christmas and year-end celebrations simple and meaningful, as a gesture of solidarity with those affected by recent calamities