City throws party for 2,000 children of poor
Around 2,000 kids from the 29 barangays in Cebu City North District got an early Christmas gift from the City Government through the Pasko sa Kabataan program held at the Family Park, Talamban, on Sunday, Dec. 2.
The park burst into life as children, aged six to 10 years old, enjoyed different games, presentations and food packs prepared by the City.
The distributed food packs included two kilos of rice and canned goods (two cans of sardines and a can of luncheon meat.)
Barangays, such as Pahina Central, Ermita and Santo Niño were among the barangays that participated in the first of four scheduled children’s parties of the City.
The same will also be done for the remaining districts in Cebu City on Dec. 8, 9 and 16.
City Agriculturist Apple Tribunalo said they came up with the Pasko sa Kabataan program to give joy to less fortunate children.
“Nakita nato no nga nakahatag gyud siya’g kalipay sa mga bata (We saw that it gives joy to the children), kay after all pasko is for the children,” she said.
She added that the City Government expects a total of 6,000 children beneficiaries.
“The 4,000 of them will be coming from the urban (areas), while the other 2,000 from the upland (barangays),” she said.
When asked about the program’s budget, Tribunalo explained that the funds came both from the City Government and a private benefactor who did not want to be named.
“For this year, for the 4,000 children, we sourced it from Cebu City (government). The (additional) 2,000 for the kids in the upland (barangays), it’s sponsored by a private individual. Nag-budget mi og around P250 per kid for meal and gift pack na na siya,” she said.
Marilyn Claro, one of the parents who accompanied their children during the party, said she appreciated the program.
“Nalingaw ang mga bata kay naay mga paduwa and naa puod gipanghatag nga mga duwaan (The children enjoyed since there are games and they were given toys),” she said.
This initiative by the City Government, in coordination with the Committee on Social Services, City Agriculture Department, and the Youth office, is already in its second year of implementation.