Noy, SB lead Pagcor gift-giving

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino and other officials brought Christmas cheer to less fortunate residents of Quezon City with a gift-giving program yesterday.

Jukebox queen Eva Eugenio performed her classic “Tukso,” which was followed by some Christmas carols and singer Jun Polistico rendering “You’re the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” and “Feelings” for some reminiscing by senior citizens.

Aquino also witnessed Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr. turn over P2 billion to Education Secretary Armin Luistro for the department’s school building program.

In his speech during Pagcor’s annual gift-giving event held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, the President said Christmas was not just about family but about sharing blessings with those in need.

In 2013 and 2014, the President noted they deemed it best not to hold the yearly “Pamaskong Handog” to give way to relief distribution for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, totaling P12 million in addition to the P2 billion allotted to build classrooms in affected areas.

But the President said yesterday was for the 3,100 senior citizens, “whom I will join in five years’ time,” members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations who work tirelessly and the equally industrious street sweepers in Quezon City.

President Aquino was joined by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte-Alimurung and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Aquino said patients confined at the National Children’s Hospital and their families had been given gift packs ahead of yesterday’s event and this week, barangay health workers from Pasay, Parañaque and Manila would also have a gathering as part of Pagcor’s “Pamaskong Handog.”

The President said around 9,500 individuals had been covered by the program this year with a budget of P25.35 million.

He stressed the hard work and contributions of each health employee taking care of the sick and people’s wellness, the tricycle drivers plying the streets day and night to serve commuters and street sweepers ensuring that the roads are clean and free from clogging.

“This is also a time for thanksgiving. That is why, for our bosses toiling for their respective families and our partners in pushing for progress in the entire country: thank you very much to all of you. You are still my strength and you are the ones effecting change,” Aquino said.

“Hopefully, in a small way, the government would be able to repay your sacrifices and dedication to your respective jobs,” the President said.

Aquino also praised and thanked Naguiat and his people for being able to turn Pagcor from a nest of corruption to an agency focused on serving the people.

He said that from expensive coffee being purchased by the agency, billions of funds for classrooms were now being generated for the people’s sake.

“In the end, Filipinos are just one family,” Aquino said, noting that in a short period of time, the people were able to fix, beautify and strengthen the country as their home.

From 2010 to 2012, Aquino said Pagcor had allotted P42.25 million for gift packs to be distributed among the less fortunate, benefiting more than 14,000 individuals including orphans, out-of-school youths, street children and the sick.

For the school building program of the Department of Education (DepEd), the additional P2 billion brings Pagcor’s total funding for the project to P12 billion.