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Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
November 7, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has ordered government officials to make basic commodities affordable this Christmas season, while urging public institutions to keep holiday parties simple as the country prepares for the effects of a super El Niño.
Marcos gave the directive as he administered the oath of office to 10 ad interim Cabinet officials and agency heads during a ceremony at Malacañang yesterday.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, who was among those who took their oath, said the administration is focused on helping Filipino families celebrate Christmas with less worry over rising prices and the cost of daily necessities.
“Hopefully, food prices will continue to drop and, most importantly, Noche Buena will be affordable for everyone. That is the President’s primary instruction,” Recto told reporters in a chance interview at the Palace.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez, who also took their oath before Marcos, vowed to strengthen coordination to ease traffic congestion and improve public transportation, particularly during the holiday rush.
Dizon said Marcos wants commuters to spend less time on the road and save on transportation costs, especially during the busy Christmas season.
To accommodate the expected surge in passengers, Dizon revealed that the Department of Transportation plans to deploy additional buses, trains and other public transport services to provide commuters with more convenient and accessible travel options.
Palace press officer Claire Castro, meanwhile, urged government agencies to keep their Christmas parties simple as part of the government’s austerity measures.
“The austerity measures remain in effect to this day. While we are not issuing an order regarding Christmas parties, we would like to remind everyone to keep them simple, as there are still many other pressing issues that we need to address,” she said.
