Christmas is in the air in Makati as the city government ushered in the yuletide season with the ceremonial lighting of its Christmas tree and lights on Thursday, Dec, 1.

The lighting ceremony was led by Makati City Rep. Luis Campos, and other city government officials and employees in front of the Central Post Office.

The yearly Christmas tradition of the city government features dozens of blue-colored Christmas ornaments that were lit simultaneously with the city's Christmas tree adorned with blue-colored decorations and lanterns.

"Panahon na naman upang tayo'y magparty at magsaya kasama ang pamilya at barkada at syempre, mas espesyal ang araw na ito dahil kaarawan ng ating Panginoong Hesus. Kaya naman ngayon ang perfect time upang magbigayan at tumulong sa ating mga kapatid na nangangailangan (It's once again the time to party and have fun together with the family and friends, but most importantly, this day is the birthday of our lord Jesus. Because of this, it is the perfect time for us to give and help our brothers and sisters who are in need)," Binay and her husband, Rep. Campos, said in their video greeting to Makatizens.

"Tandaan natin na ang tunay na magic ng pasko ay nakikita sa mga regalong hindi natutumbasan ng pera. Ang mahalaga ay sama sama nating salubungin ang 2023 nang may panibagong pag-asa at positibong pananaw (Let's all remember that the true magic of Christmas is seen through the gifts that are priceless. What's important is that we are all together in welcoming 2023 with a new hope and positive outlook)," they added.

In November, the city government started the distribution of its Pamaskong Handog gift bags to 240,000 residents.

“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.

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 two 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 the MAC satellite offices in barangays.

It has also started the distribution of the year-end cash incentives to its senior citizens.

Binay said that a total of 83,857 Blu Card senior citizens holders will receive the year-end cash incentive early as the city government aims to spare them from the holiday rush and give them more time to plan ahead on what or where to spend their cash incentives.

“We want our senior Makatizens to be happy and feel that they are loved and cared for, that is why we made sure that they receive their cash incentives from the city government early,” Binay said.

Under the expanded benefits program for senior citizens, Blu Card holders will receive their cash incentives twice a year: every July and December. For the year-end, seniors 60-69 years old will receive P1,500; 70-79 years old, P2,000; 80-89 years old, P2,500; and 90-99 years old, P5,000.

Centenarians aged 101 and above will also receive P5,000 year-end cash incentive provided that he/she has been a Blu Card holder for at least five years. If not, the beneficiary will only be receiving P2,500 year-end cash incentive.

The cash incentives are directly sent to the GCash accounts of the recipients to ensure the safe, convenient, and fast delivery of their Christmas gift.