The municipal government will forgo its annual employee Christmas party and redirect the funds to El Niño preparedness and response efforts as the climate phenomenon is expected to intensify in the coming months.
Mayor Lheslen Enad announced the decision on Friday, saying the municipality would prioritize measures to protect residents from the anticipated effects of drier conditions.
“In light of the anticipated El Niño, the Municipality of Minglanilla has decided not to hold its LGU Christmas Party this year,” Enad said.
“Instead, we will prioritize the funds for El Niño preparedness and response efforts to better serve and protect our Minglanillahanons,” she added.
Enad did not disclose the amount to be redirected or identify the specific projects that would receive the funds.
Despite canceling the employee gathering, the municipality will proceed with its Christmas lighting activities, particularly those intended for families and children.
“We may be foregoing our Christmas party, but the spirit of Christmas remains!” Enad said.
The decision comes as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) projects that the active El Niño will intensify into a very strong event from September to December 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027.
PAGASA projections indicate that dry conditions could affect 54 provinces by the end of 2026, rising to 87 provinces and highly urbanized cities by the end of March 2027.
El Niño typically brings below-normal rainfall, increasing the risk of drought, water shortages and agricultural losses. However, some areas in the western Philippines may still experience above-normal rainfall due to monsoons or tropical cyclones.
In 2025, several Cebu local government units canceled or scaled back Christmas activities to prioritize recovery from Typhoon Tino and other calamities.
Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City canceled their grand Christmas parties, while Cordova called off its Christmas Village and lighting competition. Mandaue City held a simpler lighting ceremony and reduced employee festivities.
Unlike those earlier decisions, Minglanilla cited preparations for the anticipated El Niño as the reason for canceling its Christmas party this year.
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