65,460 Valenzuela seniors get gift packs

MANILA, Philippines — Christmas came early for senior citizens in Valenzuela as they started receiving gift packs from the city government on Friday.

At least 65,460 residents of the city who are 60 years old and above are the recipients of the Pasko sa Hulyo gift-giving program, which will run until July 29.

On Friday, 11,854 senior citizens from 16 of the city’s 33 barangays received gift packs, each containing 10 kilos of rice.

The city government, led by Mayor Wes Gatchalian, welcomed the senior citizens and led the distribution of the gift packs.

In his remarks, Gatchalian expressed how the city government goes above and beyond its goal of prioritizing the welfare of the elderly in their city.

“We forged a partnership with the cooperative of farmers in Isabela. That’s why these grains of rice not only help our families, but also thousands of farmers in Isabela,” he said in a statement. — Ghio Ong