Citizens of Makati City are already feeling the spirit of Christmas as the city government started the distribution of Pamaskong Handog gift bags to 240,000 residents to ensure that they can enjoy a meaningful and happy Christmas.

According to Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, they started distributing the Christmas gift bags to Makatizens on Nov. 2.

As of Nov. 8, the Makati Action Center has already distributed 6,298 Christmas bags to senior citizens.

"We usually distribute the Pamaskong Handog bags during the first week of December. These bags that contain assorted food products for Noche Buena have become a much-anticipated tradition for Proud Makatizens,” Binay said.

She explained that the city government moved up the distribution of the gift bags so that families need not worry about preparations for the traditional family meal during Christmas time especially now that the prices of most commodities continue to rise due to social and economic reasons.

“In light of the rising prices of goods, this is our way of helping Makati’s families enjoy a merrier Christmas this year,” the mayor noted.

Each bag contains two cans of Spam luncheon meat, two cans of vienna sausage, two cans of corned beef, one pack of spaghetti pasta with sauce, one can of fruit cocktail, one can of condensed milk, one can of cream, one box of cheese, and 2 Makatizen t-shirts.

The beneficiaries include 105,000 residents, 84,000 senior citizens, 12,000 differently-abled persons, 4,500 members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), 3,000 relocatees, 11,000 City Hall employees, 5,400 barangay employees, 3,300 DepEd-Makati public school teachers, 750 Makati police officers; 7,300 pedicab, tricycle, and jeepney drivers; and 1,300 vendors.

Aside from the Pamaskong Kubol at the City Hall quadrangle, the city government has also started giving out Pamaskong Handog tickets and gift bags at MAC satellite offices in barangays.

The city government said the distribution of Christmas bags will run until Dec. 31.