Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos and Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos on Saturday presided over the traditional gift-giving activity of the local government for Christmas.

A total of 350,000 plastic boxes containing rice, sugar, canned goods, and other food items, were packed and delivered to each barangay a few days ahead.

After the ceremonial distribution, each barangay captain will continue the distribution of goods in every household under his or her jurisdiction.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, who hails from Mandaluyong City, joined the activity and distributed goods to several households in Barangay Highway Hills.

Mayor Abalos said he started the Pamaskong Handog tradition when he became Mandaluyong's local chief executive in 1986.

Before the pandemic, the city's gift-giving was annually held at city hall, but decided to do it "ayuda-style" through barangay distribution in 2020 and 2021.