As part of its annual tradition to bring the holiday cheer to the residents of its centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to hold a series of celebrations, which include gift-giving and simple ‘salo-salo’.

“May mga iba’t-ibang activities sa mga care facilities natin. Sa katunayan, taon-taon, sa (December) 24th, 25th, sa 31st, at saka sa (January) 1st, may mga special na mga parties sa loob ng mga care facilities natin,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian told reporters during his visit at the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and Other Special Cases (GRACES) in Bago Bantay, Quezon City, on Friday (December 12).

As one of the often-neglected sectors, Secretary Gatchalian said he chose to visit the elderly residents of GRACES first to ensure they feel loved and cared for this Christmas season, despite being away from their families.

“Alam natin na itong time of the year, masaya para sa karamihan pero para sa mga nasa shelter natin, siyempre naulila na sila sa pamilya nila. Yung mabisita sila, malaking bagay na yun. So nagdala kami ng konting regalo. Pero bahagi ito ng mga Christmas celebration natin sa mga shelter natin. Ang utos kasi ng Pangulo natin na Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., siguraduhin na yung mga nasa shelter natin nadarama rin nila yung diwa ng Pasko,” the DSWD chief pointed out.

Some 200 elderly residents of GRACES, including homeless senior citizens and those who are bedridden, received gift packages from Secretary Gatchalian.

“Out of culture kasi, di ba, sa pamilyang Pilipino, tayo yung matatanda natin, tumatanda ng kasama natin sa bahay. So malungkot in one sense kasi meron tayong 200 na matatanda na napabayaan, pero masaya in another sense kasi natututukan sila ng pamahalaan,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The DSWD chief also took the opportunity to thank the Senate for considering the proposed increase in the budget of the Department’s CRCFs.

“Actually, gusto ko nga samantalahin yung pagkakataon na ito kasi nung Senate budget hearing namin, talagang inulit-ulit ng mga senador natin yung bigyan ng prayoridad yung mga care facilities natin. Tinanong ako tungkol sa cost of care, tinanong ako tungkol sa estado ng mga care facility natin and of all of them kasi ang pinaka-vulnerable yung matatanda talaga,” the DSWD chief said.

For donors who want to share their blessings to the clients and residents under the care of the DSWD’s CRCFs, they may visit the Kaagapay donations portal website at https://kaagapay.dswd.gov.ph/home. (AKDL)