Christmas comes early at Boys’ Town

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in handing out Christmas gifts to runaway kids housed at the Manila city government-run Boys’ Town Complex in Marikina on Monday.

The activity followed the recent distribution of assistance to over 2,000 families rendered homeless by a fire in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo.

Some 4,000 packages were given to the wards, students, and employees at the Valeriano E. Fugoso Memorial School located within the Boys’ Town complex. Of the number, 166 are children, and 415 are senior citizens.

Manila Department of Social Welfare head Re Fugoso, overseeing the complex’s operations, said that all wards, including homeless children and elderly, received gifts, food and medicine.

In her speech, Lacuna expressed gratitude to the President for his unwavering support to the city of Manila, saying it’s a big boost to her administration, which is operating under a P17.8 billion debt left by her predecessor.

She also announced plans for renovations to make the complex more conducive for its wards.

Also present were Vice Mayor Yul Servo, Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro and Marikina Congresswoman Stella Quimbo, who joined Mayor Lacuna in welcoming the President and distributing Christmas gifts from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, whose head, Secretary Rex Gatchalian, also assisted.

Originally a facility for Manila youth needing care, Boys’ Town has grown into a care facility for children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and individuals entrusted to the city’s custody for eventual reintegration into society.