The local government of Pasig has started distributing Noche Buena packs to its residents through a door-to-door initiative to ensure that every Pasigueño will receive one.
Mayor Vico Sotto checks the contents of Pamaskong Handog food packs being delivered door-to-door to families in the city. (Photo from Mayor Vico Sotto)
The first day of distribution was held last Nov. 26, with residents from Barangays Buting, Pineda, and San Joaquin being the first to receive theirs. The distribution is ongoing, and every day, the local government posts the schedule for each barangay in the city.
Mayor Vico Sotto explained the door-to-door initiative of the local government.
“Tatlong dahilan kung bakit ganito ang istilo ng pagbabahagi ng Pamaskong Handog sa lungsod ng Pasig kung saan nagbabahay-bahay po tayo straight to the doorstep ng bawat pamilya, ang konting pagdagdag sa noche buena natin tuwing kapaskuhan (There are three reasons why the local government distributes Pamaskong Handog, which helps add something to each family's table during Christmas, directly to the doorstep of every family in the city),” he said.
The mayor emphasized that all Pasigueños, regardless of their background or status, should receive the Pamaskong Handog as a fair and equal way of treating everyone in the city.
“Una, s'yempre gusto natin magbigay ng kasiyahan sa bawat pamilya Pasigueño. Pangalawa, para sa akin, ito yung mas mahalagang dahilan, naging simbolo na po ang Pangaskong Handog ng pagkakapantay-pantay natin sa mata ng ating gobyerno. Walang palakasan, hindi na kailangan dumaan sa kung sinong malakas, kung sinong leader o organization na malapit sa mayor (First, of course, we want to bring joy to every Pasigueño family. Second, Pamaskong Handog has become a symbol of equality in the eyes of our government. There's no favoritism—there's no need to go through anyone with influence, any leader, or organization close to the mayor),” Sotto explained.
“Kundi lahat po meron, kaaway, kakampi, sa malayo ka man nakatira, sa city hall o sa malapit ay lahat po ay mabibigyan (Everyone receives it, whether you're an ally or an opponent, whether you live far away or close to the city hall, everyone gets what they deserve),” he added.
Lastly, Sotto mentioned that the house-to-house distribution also serves as a testing ground for various innovations of the local government.
The local government also stated that residents living in the city's condominiums will receive the Noche Buena pack as well.
“May ibang schedule ng distribution ang mga condominium. Kasalukuyang nakikipag-ugnayan na ang Pamaskong Handog Team sa condominium administrators para rito (Condominiums have different distribution schedules. The Pamaskong Handog team is currently coordinating with condominium administrators regarding this),” it said.
As part of maintaining transparency, Sotto shared the details of what each pack contains, along with the cost of each item and the total price of one package being distributed, which is P702 per pack.
Project Details (prices include delivery and packaging):
- Spaghetti (700g) with spaghetti sauce (900g) - P120.45
- Chicken luncheon meat - P70.70
- Fruit cocktail (836g can) - P84.11
- Sweetened thick creamer (410mL) - P57.09
- Swiss Miss hot chocolate, 10 sachets - P7.61/sachet
- San Marino tuna, 2 cans - P35.91/can
- Mayonnaise (470mL) - P159.09
- Elbow macaroni (400g pack) - P36.36
- Katsa tote bag - P26.50