Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto, and the Asenso Manileño team distributed Christmas gift boxes and cash aid to senior citizens and dialysis patients in Manila.
The activity also coincided with the distribution of allowances for senior citizens, covering the months of September to December 2024.
According to Elinor Jacinto, Chief of the Office of Senior Citizens' Affairs (OSCA), the city has recorded a total of 191,144 senior citizens.
Each senior is set to receive P2,000, which corresponds to the P500 monthly allowance provided under the Special Amelioration Program (SAP).
The SAP was approved by the Manila City Council during the mayor's tenure as presiding officer.
The beneficiaries of the SAP also include persons with disabilities, solo parents, and students from the two city-run universities - Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and Universidad de Manila (UdM).
Lacuna-Pangan and Nieto also extended financial assistance to 244 residents undergoing treatment for cancer and dialysis.
They personally met the patients at the "People’s Day" event held regularly at the Bulwagang Villegas in Manila City Hall.
The "People’s Day" program, an initiative under Lacuna’s administration, focuses on providing help to Manila residents battling cancer and kidney-related illnesses.
"Nais po ng pamahalaang lungsod na sa pamamagitan ng ganitong simpleng paraan ay makapagbigay kahit paano ng tulong para sa inyong pagpapagamot (The city government aims to offer even a small help for your treatment through this simple way)," the mayor expressed.
She added that the initiatives underscore the city's commitment to ensuring that its vulnerable sectors receive much-needed assistance, particularly during the holiday season.