The "LAB for All: Christmas for All" Gift-Giving Project, organized by concerned government agencies recently provided assistance to homeless families and street dwellers at the Jose Fabella Center in Mandaluyong City ahead of Christmas Day.

LAB — which stands for "Lingap at Alagang Bayanihan" — is an initiative which seeks to provide for the needy where the government and private sector collaborate, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.

"It is a whole of government approach with different government agencies working together with the First Lady Liza Marcos taking the lead and of course, the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This is not just a one-day project for Christmas but a continuous giving, loving and sharing," Abalos said.

"This is also a part of the government's efforts to ensure that there will be no more street dwellers in Metro Manila," he added.

The project – spearheaded by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Atty. Don Artes, in cooperation with the Office of the First Lady — is not just about distribution of gifts but also providing health care, social services and livelihood assistance to more than 250 beneficiaries.

"We will expand the program to provide training through the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, livelihood assistance, and others with the Metro Manila Spouses Foundation, other government agencies and corporate partners for a joyful and meaningful celebration this Christmas season," Artes said.

Abalos, Artes, Metro Manila Council president and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr., Malacañang Palace's Atty. Hanna Barcena, MMDA general manager Undersecretary Procopio Lipana and MMDA assistant general manager for Operations Assistant Secretary David Angelo Vargas led the distribution of food packs, health kits, gift and grocery packs to individuals who are temporarily sheltered at the Center on Monday.