The Pasig City local government said it is planning to distribute over 400,000 "Pamaskong Handog" Christmas gift bags to its citizens in time for the Yuletide season.
In a radio interview, the city government said it aims to distribute a total of 450,000 gift bags to its residents which started on Nov. 25. Each gift bag contains Noche Buena items which include spaghetti pasta, spaghetti sauce, cheese, condensed and evaporated milk, rice, canned goods, noodles, and others.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto reminded the public as well as the members of the local government unit (LGU) on the reasons as to why they annually hold the said distribution.
1. To give joy to every Pasigueño family.
2. To show that proper and efficient public service is possible without the padrino system and patronage politics.
3. To promote data driven governance such as the census and PasigPass.
He also issued reminders to residents regarding the distribution of the gift bags:
1. The schedule of distribution of the Pamaskong Handog gift bags will be posted on the day of the distribution itself.
2. The distribution will be held house-to-house.
3. Each family is provided with their own PasigPass QR code which will then be used in receiving the gift bag. If there are three families in one house, three QR codes will be needed to be scanned before receiving three Pamaskong Handog bags.
4. Prepare a proof of identity. Sharing of PasigPass QR code of other people is prohibited.
5. If no one is present to receive the package, the distribution team will leave a form with instructions on how to claim their gift bag.
6. Residents living in condominiums will have a different distribution schedule. The Pamaskong Handog Team is already coordinating with condominium administrators regarding the distribution.