Senior Citizens in the city begun receiving their gifts as the City Government begins its yearly traditional gift-giving activity dubbed as “Pamaskong Handog.”

Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian led fellow-officials and staff as early as 8:00 A.M. today in distributing more than 45,000 bags filled with goods for the traditional Family Christmas Dinner or Noche Buena.  “All of us at the city government look forward to this activity each year.  For me, this is not merely a gift-giving activity.  Ito ang kumukompleto sa pasko naming mga taga-City Hall.  (This activity completes the meaning of Christmas for us at the City Government.)” Mayor WIN said.

Valenzuela City’s joyful and meaningful celebration of the Yuletide Season begins in the traditional ceremonial lighting of the Tree of Hope, which happened this year last December 1, and culminates with the Pamaskong Handog, a tradition which has started in 2004.

For the past years, Pamaskong Handog are usually given to indigent families, this year, however, as the City takes pride of the senior citizens who still contribute to its progress, the activity is dedicated to them.

This year’s committee lead by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Special Projects Office (SPO) and the Office of the Senior Citizen Affair (OSCA) made sure that each senior citizen registered at OSCA were given ticket that bear their name, and the venue and time to receive their gift.

Lolos and Lolas are all smile at the venues, thankful in receiving the humble gifts from the City Government.   “Dahil sa pag-alala sa amin nila Mayor WIN, maging mas masarap ang pagsasalo-salo ng pamilya namin sa araw ng pasko.  (Because our mayor remembered, our celebration of Christmas would become more meaningful.)”  Said one of the recipients.

The gift-giving will continue until December 23, Friday, to cover all the 32 barangays in the city.  To claim their gift, recipients would just have to bring their tickets and OSCA ID.  In case, of a representative, he or she must bring an ID plus the ticket and OSCA ID of the recipient he represent.

Medical team from the City Health Department and the Philippine Red Cross – Valenzuela Chapter are in standby to take care of the recipients in case of emergency.  Those who are not registered at the OSCA yet will be assisted on the processing of their registration.

Joining the Mayor in this most-anticipated activity during the Christmas Season are 1^st District Representative, Cong. REX Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Eric Martinez, 1^st District Councilors, Marlon Alejandrino, Cora Cortez, Tony Espiritu, and Gerry Esplana, 2^nd District Councilors, Lorie Natividad-Borja, Kate Galang-Coseteng, Adrian Dapat, Lai Nolasco and Shalani Soledad, together with local barangay officials and other city government employees coming from various offices and departments.