A total of 695,000 households in the city of Manila have received their Christmas food boxes during the 12-day distribution period.
Mayor Honey Lacuna led the distribution of the food packs to residents of the city’s 896 barangays from Dec. 1 to 12, the Manila Public Information Office said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Lacuna also led the start of the three-day distribution of special gift boxes for the city’s 180,000 senior citizens.
On the other hand, Office for Senior Citizens’ Affairs (OSCA) chief Elinor Jacinto said the payout of the PHP500 monthly allowance for senior citizens started on Monday in the city’s first and second districts.
The payout covers the period September to December this year.
The distribution of Christmas gifts and allowance payouts are part of the city’s “May Kalinga, May Ginhawa, May Saya” Christmas celebration in Manila.
Lacuna earlier announced that beginning next year, those aged 18 and below who are persons with disability will also receive the said benefits.
The inclusion of the members of the vulnerable sector in the monthly allowances is pursuant to an ordinance passed by the Manila City Council. (PNA)
