Malacañang has urged government agencies to support the country’s hosting of the 2016 Miss Universe this January but reminded them not to spend public funds for the event unless required.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed Memorandum Circular No. 13 on December 28 “enjoining all departments, agencies, bureaus and offices of the government to support the hosting of the 2016 Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines.”

The memorandum has ordered “all heads of departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities of the government, including state-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs)” to extend full support for the hosting of the Miss Universe in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DoT).

The memorandum also urged local government units (LGUs) to support the event.

Candidates for the pageant are expected to visit the cities of Vigan, Cebu, Baguio and Davao, to showcase the country’s tourist destinations.

READ: 2017 Miss Universe will do wonders for PH tourism

The memorandum said that “except for such reasonable resources required in providing support for the hosting of the pageant, no public funds shall be expended for the hosting of the 2016 Miss Universe Pageant.

The DoT had earlier said the government won’t spend a single centavo for the hosting of the pageant.

READ: PH won’t spend ‘a single centavo’ on 2017 Miss Universe hosting

The coronation ceremonies of the 2016 Miss Universe pageant will be on Jan. 31, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. IDL