ABOUT 600 kids received Christmas presents from Malacañang during the “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya: A Nationwide gift-giving Day” program, at the University of Mindanao, Matina, on Nov. 26.
The annual gift-giving is dedicated to underprivileged children from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Reception and Study Center for Children (DSWD- RSCC) and accredited orphanage centers.
Among the recipients in the region are the RSCC, Angels Haven, and Home Food the Girls and Women.
Eufemio Garcia, Davao chair for the program, said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and first lady Atty. Liza-Araneta-Marcos gives high regard to children and wants to give joy to them through the early Christmas presents.
Over 17,000 children in 250 satellite centers in the country received gifts during the simultaneous gift-giving. UM Matina is the largest participating center with 600 kids, along with Cebu Technological University, Cebu City with 449 children.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his first lady Atty. Liza-Araneta-Marcos lead the 2nd-year of the program in the Kalayaan Grounds, Malacañang.
The president bared in his statement the program is not only held in the Palace but in different locations in the country for children to feel the Christmas season.
“ We all know that Christmas is really about the children, and we always have a merry Christmas when the children have a good Christmas, makita natin ang inyong mga ngiti,” President Marcos said.
“ For me, ito talaga ang ibig sabihin ‘pag Christmas spirit, pagka napapaligiran tayo ng mga bata na ang gugulo, na maiingay, makukulit pero masaya, yun ang importante,”he added.
The president stressed the celebration is an escape from the daily tasks routine. He also thanked the organizations who prioritize the children’s welfare even when it’s not Christmas season.
“ Ito ang bahagi ng ating lipunan na pinakamamahal natyin, alam naman natin yun, at iyong ginagawa na pagmamahal, pag-alaga sa kanila ay napakahalaga, kaya maraming salamat sa inyo sa pag-serbisyo sa kinabukasan natin,” he added.
The annual gift-giving is an initiative of the Office of the President, through the Social Secretary’s Office in partnership with the President’s private support groups and partners including Jollibee and San Miguel Corporation.
Screenshots from Radio Television Malacañang – RTVM
