The local government of Manila started distributing Christmas gift boxes to all senior citizens in the city on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
A total of 180,000 senior citizens in the city will receive the gift boxes that each contains a thermo-insulated food container set and a low-sugar wafer roll.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan herself will distribute 5,734 boxes on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 14.
In addition, all other seniors will receive their gift boxes straight from officials of their respective barangays.
A total of 1,786 gift boxes were already distributed by Lacuna-Pangan, together with Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin Yul Servo-Nieto and barangay councilors, to the senior citizens of barangays 124, 131, 138, 155, 159, and 160 of Districts 1 and 2.
“Ang lahat po nang ito ay ginagawa namin para sa mga minamahal naming senior citizens dahil ganiyan po kayo kahalaga sa amin. Dito po sa Maynila, lahat mahalaga at lahat kasama lalong-lalo na po kayo (We are doing all of this for our beloved senior citizens because you are so important to us. Here in Manila, everyone is important, and everyone is included, especially the seniors),” Lacuna-Pangan said.
“Kaya pagdamutan po ninyo ang aming munting nakayanan, ito po ay galing sa aming mga puso dahil mahal na mahal po namin kayo (So please accept this little appreciation of ours. This is from our hearts because we love you so much),” she added.
The mayor and the city government will conduct another distribution at 3 p.m. at Severino Reyes corner of Tayuman Streets, Barangay 353, where a total of 1,396 gift boxes will be distributed to the seniors from Barangays 353 to 362 of District 3.
On Dec. 14, Lacuna-Pangan will also lead the distribution of 1,528 gift boxes, which will also start at 7 a.m. in Barangay 504 Craig Street for the seniors of Barangays 502 to 507 of District 4.
At 9 a.m., the distribution will be conducted at the corner of Onyx and Dagohoy Streets for the seniors of Barangays 767 and 804 of District 5.
The city government also said that 1,014 boxes will be distributed at 3 p.m. in Barangay 905 covered court for the seniors of Barangays 903 and 905 of District 6.