More than 40,000 senior citizens in Valenzuela City have received Noche Buena packages from the city government.

Beginning December 19, Mayor REX Gatchalian and city councilors made the rounds of school and community covered courts for the “Pamaskong Handog para kay Lola at Lola” (Christmas Gifts for Grandfather and Grandmother) to hand the gathered elderly packages of groceries from which they can put together their Christmas eve dinners.

The gift-giving was held as the city government’s way of bringing cheer to its aged constituents, Mayor REX  said. This year, the distribution of gifts ran until December 22.

Data from the City Social Welfare and Development Office show a total of 40, 439 Pamaskong Handog recipients.