Some 30,000 kids from the centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs) managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) nationwide, along with select children from the 16 cities in the National Capital Region (NCR), received early Christmas gifts Sunday from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In the main gift-giving event held at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang on 8 December, more than 2,000 children were present, while other kids from different regions outside NCR joined the celebration via live stream, including those from the 65 satellite CRCFs of the DSWD.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with Undersecretary for Operations Monina Josefina Romualdez and Assistant Secretary for External Assistance and Development Juan Carlo Marquez, also joined the activity dubbed “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya: Year 3.”
“Alam naman natin na ang pasko, katunayan nyan ay talagang para sa mga bata kaya naramdaman ko agad ang pasko dahil nandito na naman ang maiingay, malilikot, at makukulit na mga bata na kumakanta nang malakas na Christmas carols,” President Marcos said in his message.
Each child received a trolley bag containing a "color your pillow" kit, socks, raincoat, tumbler, watch, and face and hand towels.
Rondalla kids from the Nayon ng Kabataan (NK), a DSWD-run center, also sang Christmas carols.
Apart from gifts, fun activities such as inflatables and slides were also set up in the Kalayaan Grounds.
There were men on stilts and roving jugglers that added to the delight of the children.
“Alalahanin ninyo na ang ating pagsasaya ay hindi lamang dito sa palasyo kundi sa iba’t ibang lugar sa buong Pilipinas,” the chief executive said.
“Kagaya ng sabi ko, ang pasko ay para sa kabataan kaya tinitiyak natin na kahit sino, yung mga napadpad sa malalayo, sa kanilang mga pamilya, sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay ay kahit papaano ay mayroon silang pasko,” the President added.
The President also expressed his gratitude to the DSWD, led by Secretary Gatchalian, and to the local government units (LGUs) for leading the gift-giving activity.
“Kaya maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga staff, lahat ng tumulong sa atin. Syempre led by DSWD ito. Hindi maliit na selebrasyon at preparasyon ito dahil nga hindi lamang dito kundi sa buong Pilipinas,” President Marcos said.