Dumaguete LGU to distribute Christmas gifts to indigents

DUMAGUETE CITY — The city government, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), will begin distributing today (Thursday) its yearly Handog Pamasko cash gifts to 25,000 indigent residents of 30 barangays.

The amount of the Handog Pamasko this year is increased from P300 to P400 per beneficiary, and will be distributed by social workers in their respective villages, said CSWDO head Carola Alquero yesterday.

The distribution of gifts will start in the city’s eight barangays: Balugo, Bajumpandan, Poblacion Barangays 5, 6, and 7, Piapi, Calindagan, and Bantayan.

On December 15, the Handog Pamasko will be distributed in Barangays Poblacion 8, Cadawinonan, Tabuctubig, Batinguel, Cantil-e, Motong, Candauay and Looc.

Other schedules are: December 16 in Barangay Banilad; December 17 in Daro; December. 18 in Junob, Poblacion 1, 2, and 4, Mangnao, Buñao, and Bagacay; and December 19 in Camanjac, Pulantubig, Taclobo, Poblacion 3, and Talay, said Alquero.

In previous years, the city government distributed gift packs to its indigents and less privileged residents, but it now decided to shift to cash gifts because of the tedious work of repacking rice and other foodstuffs every Christmas time.

For the unclaimed or undistributed cash gifts, Alquero said recipients might claim them either at the CSWDO or at their respective barangays until next week.

The city had coordinated with the local police to provide security to ensure a smooth and orderly distribution of cash gifts during the Handog Pamasko, Alquero added.