By Khriscielle Yalao
Santa Claus came early to 500 children in Marikina City who all went home with gifts on Saturday, Dec. 11, from the “Pamaskong Handog sa Kabataan” program of the Anti-Crime and Community Emergency Response Team (ACCERT) Marikina chapter and the Marikina City Police Station (CPS).
Police officers clad in Santa Claus hats distributed the wrapped gifts and food packs to children at 9 a.m. at the 21st Avenue of the Balubad Settlement in Brgy. Nangka.
The Marikina CPS considered the gift giving program as the station’s best practice during the Christmas season.
The program was organized by ACCERT Philippines President Dr. Miguel “Mitch” Ortiz, and ACCERT-Mindanao Vice President Alexander M. Simbulan.
The program was part of the Eastern Police District's (EPD) and the Marikina CPS’ efforts to foster rapport with the communities in the area.
The EPD encouraged all police personnel to improve their direct engagements with the local communities.
The Marikina CPS police officers or “Santa cops” as they were called who participated in the event were volunteers.
“Donating their time and energy behind their busy and hectic schedules for the benefit of other people in the community as a social responsibility rather than for any financial reward is one of a kind,” read the Marikina CPS’ Facebook post.
The program was also conducted to strengthen the partnership between ACCERT and the Marikina CPS, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Orlando O. Yebra Jr.