10 tribes in Cordillera get Christmas gift from PCSO

BAGUIO CITY: Ten different tribes from the Cordillera region received an early Christmas gift from Royena Marzan Garma, general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, through the agency’s program dubbed as “PamaskongHandogng PCSO” held in its branch office here last Sunday.

Garma led the distribution of sacks of rice, bags of groceries and a large boiler, a cauldron and other kitchen utensils used in cooking during a canao.

The 10 tribes were Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Kalungaya and Karao of Benguet; Balangao, Bontoc, Applai and Gaddan of Mountain Province; and Itneg or Isneg of Apayao and Kalinga.

“We really do this during the Christmas season but this time we decided to donate or give Christmas gifts to indigenous peoples after my former college batch who is from here (Cordillera) asked to do the gift-giving to tribal groups in the Cordillera,” Garma said in an interview.

“Maskakaibaitokumparasaibanglugar, first time namabigyannaminngregaloang IPs (indigenous peoples), digayasaibanglugarna karamihanay individual, PWD at mga organisasyon (This is different, this is the first time for us to give gifts to IPs, unlike in other places where we gave mostly to individuals, persons with disability and organizations),” she added.

“Nakitangmga IPs nakailangannilaangganitong okasyonsakani-kanilanglugar (The Cordillera tribes saw the need for the kitchen utensils, which they said they can use for the many occasions they hold in their respective places),” Garma said.

“Our President (Rodrigo Duterte) wants to reach out to… the various ethnic tribes and the poor of the poorest because he knows their needs in their life and in this season (he) wants them to be part of the community or to belong to the community,” she added.

Garma explained that the PCSO has a big mandate especially on health cares, or the financial program of the government on health programs to all poor Filipinos.

“I appeal to our kababayan (countrymen) to please play all games under the PCS because every cent counts for the needy,” she said.