PGMA distributes gift packs to indigent Malacaņang neighbors
Manila (9 December) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo brought early holiday cheers to thousands of indigent residents of the 22 barangays within and around the Malacaņang Complex by giving them gift packs as part of the "Pamaskong Handog ni PGMA" program.
The gift packs containing two kilos of rice, spaghetti noodles, sauce, coffee, sugar and assorted canned goods, were received by 22 families, who represented the 3,300 indigent families in the 22 barangays in the Malacaņang neighborhood.
Joining the President during the gift-giving affair held at the Mabini Hall grounds in Malacaņang were Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante, Philippine Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) spokesperson Dodie King and Department of Social Welfare and Development (SWD) National Capital Region (NCR) Director Thelsa Violena.
After the gift distribution, the President met with the residents who trooped to Malacanang and gamely shook hands and had her picture taken with them. She also spoke with her "kapit-bahays" (neighbors).
Now on its 10th year, the yearly gift-giving program was launched in 1998 when President Arroyo was Vice President and concurrent DSWD secretary.
Early this week, the President also brought holiday cheers to thousands of residents of Saranggani in Mindanao by leading the distribution of various livelihood, farm production inputs, irrigation wells and food packs to indigent families in the province. (PIA-MMIO) [top]
