Makati distributes Christmas gift bags

MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City government is distributing Christmas gift bags to more than 80,000 senior citizens, Mayor Abby Binay said yesterday.

In a statement, Binay said the city government started distributing the gift bags on Nov. 2 to spare Makati’s 80,931 senior citizens “a trip to city hall since the gift bags are made available in their own barangay halls.”

“We are conducting the exclusive distribution of Christmas packs for senior citizens to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19,” she said.

The early distribution would maintain social distancing and safety protocols, according to Binay.

The distribution program “aims to bring a message of hope and to rekindle the joy of giving among us this Yuletide season. At the same time, it serves as a reminder that we still have so much to be grateful for despite the hardships brought about by the pandemic,” she said.