MANILA, Philippines --- As the country is well into the "ber" months, which is considered as the yuletide season already, the conduct of Christmas parties will be prohibited in Metro Manila and other areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) areas.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Tuesday that Metro Manila mayors have agreed to place the region under GCQ until the end of the year.

Under GCQ, mass gatherings, such as parties, remain prohibited.

"Sa areas under GCQ, bawal pa ang mga party so ang ating National Capital Region, nagkasundo ang ating mga mayor na under GCQ muna tayo," he said in an interview over ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

(In areas under GCQ, party is not yet allowed so our National Capital Region, it was agreed upon by our mayors that we remain under GCQ.)

"Magluluwag lang para makasuporta sa ekonomiya pero hindi muna mag-MGCQ," Año added.

(We are easing up just to support the economy but we're not going to MGCQ just yet.)

Quezon City and Valenzuela earlier issued an order to cancel all city hall Christmas parties.

JPV