The Mandaluyong City government on Sunday, 14 December, conducted the simultaneous distribution of Christmas gift packs to residents across the city.

Mayor Menchie Abalos, who led the house-to-house distribution of pamaskong handog or Noche Buena packages, said close to 300,000 families — or around 275,000 households — are set to receive the gift packs.

Abalos said even residents who are renting homes in the city are eligible to receive the pamaskong handog packages.

"Actually, even if you live in a condo, even if you live in posh subdivisions, even if it's a street or a barangay, and even if you're rich and poor–everyone will receive a gift pack," she told reporters in an interview.

"Yes, per family. As you can see, even if it's just one house, there are two or three gift packs that we give," the mayor added.

Each pamaskong handog food box contains Noche Buena items such as rice, sugar, coffee, canned goods, spaghetti and sauce, fruit cocktail, and all-purpose cream.

Abalos also explained that the distribution of Christmas gift packs could not be completed in just one day.

"We can't finish it in one day. Our barangay cannot deliver it for one day. That's why, sometimes, they reach two to three weeks to distribute it house-to-house," she said.

Mandaluyong, which is composed of 27 barangays, has a population of around 450,000.

Apart from the pamaskong handog gift packs, the city government also distributed emergency go bags to all households. Each bag contains first aid kits and medicines that can be used during emergency situations.

"Ah, yes, because we know, I don't want it to happen. But, of course, we will prepare. So every family there's a go bag," Abalos said.

"Next year when we bring it down again, they will have an additional go bag," she added.