The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is inviting individuals, families, and groups to consider celebrating Christmas by sharing time, joy, and companionship with children and older persons staying in the Department’s centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs) nationwide.

To bring the season of joy to CRCF residents, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited various care facilities managed and monitored by the agency. During the visits, the DSWD chief witnessed the happiness on the faces of the elderly and the youth as they felt the spirit of the holiday season even inside the facilities.

In his recent visit to the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and other Special Cases (GRACES), Secretary Gatchalian emphasized that the true spirit of giving during the holidays goes beyond material gifts. GRACES is a DSWD-managed facility that provides round-the-clock care to abandoned, neglected, and bedridden senior citizens.

“Kung naghahanap kayo ng makabuluhan na outreach program ngayong Pasko, whether as an individual or a family… ‘yung mga lolo at lola natin dito, ang hinahanap lang nila ay may makausap, may pumansin, may tumapik, may bumati sa kanila ng Merry Christmas. Sana bumisita kayo dito,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

Seeing the faces of older persons light up through simple conversations with visitors, the DSWD chief appealed to the public seeking meaningful ways to spend Christmas and New Year to consider visiting facilities such as GRACES.

The Secretary said the presence of visitors who are willing to give their time to the elderly and other residents is deeply appreciated.

“Nagdala tayo ng kaunting regalo, pero ang layunin ko talaga dito is to check yung overall well-being nila… Yung presensya niyo lang, sapat na na regalo sa ating mga senior citizen,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The DSWD currently operates 77 CRCFs nationwide catering to various vulnerable sectors, including abused and neglected children, women in need of temporary shelter, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens who can no longer be cared for by their families. These facilities provide not only safe shelter but also psychosocial support, health services, and continuous care delivered by trained social workers.

DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao, echoed Secretary Gatchalian’s message and encouraged the public to consider more meaningful ways of giving back this Christmas.

“Ngayong Kapaskuhan, inaanyayahan po ng DSWD ang publiko na magbahagi ng oras at malasakit sa ating mga kabataan at nakatatanda sa mga care facilities. Minsan, sapat na ang isang pagbisita, isang kwentuhan, o simpleng pakikinig para maipadama sa kanila na hindi sila nag-iisa,” Dumlao said on Wednesday (24 December).

She said the Department welcomes coordinated visits and outreach activities that focus on interaction, companionship, and emotional support, especially during the holiday season.

“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa tulong, kundi sa dignidad at pag-aalaga. Ang bawat bata at bawat lolo at lola sa ating mga CRCFs ay may kwento at may buhay na mahalaga,” Dumlao pointed out.

The DSWD encouraged interested individuals, families, civic groups, and organizations to coordinate with the nearest DSWD Field Office or CRCF to ensure that visits and activities are properly guided and aligned with the needs of residents.