SAMAL, Bataan — The local government here and the provincial government on Wednesday started distributing packs of food items for Christmas in the town’s 14 villages.
Known as “Pamaskong Handog,” Samal Mayor Alexander Acuzar and Vice Mayor Ronnie Ortiguerra with members of the sangguniang bayan made the rounds of the barangay where long lines of beneficiaries waited for their turn.
In Barangay Sta. Lucia, the distribution was by sitios to avoid overcrowding. “Malaking bagay ito lalo na’t nag-iisa ako sa buhay. Salamat ng marami at Merry Christmas!” Florita Iglesias of Sitio Centro said after receiving her food items.
Barangay chairman Ruperto Forbes of Sta. Lucia thanked Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III and Mayor Acuzar for the gift to his constituents four days before Christmas. “Isang napakagandang tradisyon ang nakaugalian ng mga Filipino na sa tuwing dumarating ang ganitong mga okasyon ay nagkakaroon ng pagbibigayan na kanilang mapagsasaluhan,” he said.
Vice Mayor Ortiguerra gave his Christmas greeting to the villagers. “Alam ko na magiging masaya ang Pasko ng lahat dahil may regalo si Mayor Acuzar at Governor Garcia. Sana huwag nating tingnan ang halaga ng tinanggap kundi ang biyayang dulot nito.”
“Malaking tulong ang regalo sa aking mga kababayan kaya humihingi ako ng panalangin upang lalo pa kaming makapaglingkod,” he added.
