President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday fostered the spirit of unity during the holiday season as he distributed Christmas gifts and livelihood support to children and families in Metro Manila.
Speaking during the “Pangkabuhayan at Pamaskong Handog ng Pangulo at Unang Ginang sa Sambayanang Pilipino” at the Open Amphitheater in Rizal Park, Manila, the President said the country could weather the present challenges if Filipinos unite and work together.
“Kaya’t kailangan naman, lahat sinasabi ko, kahit papaano kahit na naghihirap tayo ngayon, kahit mayroon pa rin pandemya nang konti, ‘yung ekonomiya ay dahan-dahan pa lang bumabalik at kahit papaano ay nakakaraos pa rin tayo, ngunit hindi mangyayari ‘yun kung hindi po tayo magtulungan,” President Marcos said.
“Ito ‘yung aking sinasabi dati pa na lahat dahil sa mga pangyayari ay talaga naman tayong mga Pilipino ay may pinagdaanan, ngunit naisagot natin, naharap natin lahat ng hamon na dumating dahil nandiyan ‘yung buhay ng Pilipino at tayo naman ay matibay, tayo naman ay matapang. Ngunit, hindi natin magagawa ito kung ‘di tayo nagtutulungan, kung ‘di tayo nag-iisa,” the chief executive added.
Emphasizing that Christmas is for children, President Marcos said his government organized Thursday’s event so children could feel the spirit of Christmas, by assisting their families.
Through the gift-giving event, Marcos said families could have some respite during the holidays and feel that there’s a brighter future despite the present challenges.
“So gumawa kami ng kaunting event, ng ganito para naman masabi natin [na] sana naman ay lahat ng Pilipino makaramdam ng Christmas spirit, makaramdam ng Pasko at kahit papaano, ay makikita natin na ang kinabukasan ay magiging mas maliwanag kaysa pinagdaanan natin,” hthe President noted.
At the same time, Marcos once again invited the public to go to Malacañang for the Simbang Gabi and Christmas Tree and parol viewing after he announced the opening of the Palace grounds to ordinary people.
“Aanyayahan ko rin pala kayo [dahil] binuksan namin ang Palasyo, ang Malacañang para ‘yung mga nag-aantay mag-Simbang Gabi pwede mag-standby muna doon sa amin… So nakabukas mula alas siyete ng gabi, hanggang mga 4:30 ‘pag Simbang Gabi na,” the President said.
“‘Yung mga bata, I’m sure masisiyahan at may konting pakain. Kaya’t welcome kayong lahat. Bukas na ang Palasyo,” he added.
Some 400 children and 574 individuals and families, including several members of indigenous people (IP) groups, received Christmas gifts from the President during the event.
Spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the “Pangkabuhayan at Pamaskong Handog ng Pangulo at Unang Ginang sa Sambayanang Pilipino” caravan is intended for street dwellers and IP beneficiaries, according to the DSWD.
Each adult beneficiary receives 6 kilograms of rice, other grocery items, hygiene kits and cash assistance from the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Each child beneficiary receives food packs and gift packs containing toys and books. #
