MANILA, Philippines — The education department has cancelled its bidding for Christmas party catering, it disclosed Saturday, after drawing the ire of netizens over the week in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses. This comes after a photo of its invitation for bidding for "ham and cheese" for the department's central office Christmas celebration went viral on social media. Users on social media were up in arms over the post, calling it an insensitive gesture amid the destruction brought on by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses and the coronavirus pandemic. "We have since reallocated the funds for the needs of those affected by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses and the ongoing COVID-19 effort for our employees," the statement also said. Other government agencies, including the military and the national police, have said that they would be foregoing their Christmas celebrations amid the pandemic.

Source: Philippine Star November 14, 2020 09:11 UTC