Sharing Early Christmas Gift to Children!

The City Government of Valenzuela through the Office of the President — with the Social Secretary’s Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority — distributed gift bags to daycare students as part of the “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya” program on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Valenzuela City People’s Park Amphitheater.

Ensuring that Filipino children feel the Yuletide season, President Bongbong Marcos — together with his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos — led the year 3 of the “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya” program at the Kalayaan Grounds, Malacañan Palace, 17 days before Christmas. This initiative started in 2022, continuing a tradition observed during his late father’s presidency. Streamed through an online platform, simultaneous gift-giving activity was joined by several local government units in the country, benefitting 30,000 daycare children. 

In Valenzuela City, 1,500 children (750 from District 1; 750 from District 2) from different Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Centers and Bahay Kalinga received gift bags consisting of towels, socks, raincoats, watches, tumblers, pens, and pillows. 

President Marcos elaborated that this yearly program is all about seeing the smiles from Filipino children. As he said, “Alalahanin ninyo itong ating pagsasaya rito ay hindi lang sa Palasyo kundi sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Pilipinas. Gaya ng sabi ko, ang Pasko ay para sa mga kabataan. Tinitiyak natin kahit sino, napadpad sa mga malalayo, ay kahit papaano ay mayroon din silang Pasko.” [Please remember that this celebration is not only held at this Palace. Hence, all over the Philippines. Like what I have said, Christmas is for the children. That is why we ensure that even if they live afar, they will somehow experience Christmas]. He also aims to end the year blissfully despite the hardships the country overcome for the past 11 months.

Further, Mayoress Tiffany Gatchalian — with her first-born son, Liam — extended their greetings as they joined the distribution of gift bags to children, “Ang proyektong ito ay malapit sa puso namin ni Mayor WES Gatchalian bilang mga magulang. Alam namin kung gaano kahalaga na mabigyan ng pagmamahal, suporta, at opurtunidad ang ating mga anak upang maging matagumpay sila sa kanilang kinabukasan.” [As parents, this project is close to Mayor WES Gatchalian and I’s heart. We know the importance of giving love, support, and opportunities for our children’s bright futures]. She also said that Mayor WES will continue his advocacy in supporting and protecting the Valenzuelano children as the city recently wins 2024 Galing Pook Award on Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Center. 

Joined by Mayoress Tiffany were Councilor Marlon Alejandrino; Chief of Staff on Social Welfare Operations, Ms. Dorothy Go-Evangelista; ECCD teachers; and social workers. 

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