Over 17,000 children receive gifts from Malacañang

More than 17,000 children from select shelters and orphan care centers across the country received gifts from Malacañang on Sunday ahead of Christmas.

The nationwide gift-giving event dubbed Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya was initiated by the Office of the President through the Social Secretary's Office.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), along with several private partners, worked together to organize the simultaneous event in over 250 locations nationwide.

Among the largest participating centers were the Cebu Technological University with 449 children and the University of Mindanao, Matina Campus in Davao del Sur with 600 children. In the National Capital Region, 1,120 children were identified as recipients.

The gift-giving in Malacañan Palace was held at the Kalayaan Grounds.

Over 1,700 children from select shelters and orphan centers were welcomed at Malacañang by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

“Welcome to Malacañan Palace! Welcome to our Christmas celebration! Merry Christmas, mga anak (children),” Marcos said.

The President then told the children that when his father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was president, a gift-giving activity was also held annually at the Palace.

“At alam naman natin (And we know) – we all know that Christmas is really about the children. And we always have a Merry Christmas when the children have a good Christmas. Na makita natin ang inyong mga ngiti, na kayo naman ay ‘pag sinabing Merry Christmas ay may kabuluhan (when we see your smiles and when you are greeted Merry Christmas, it means a lot)," he added.

Marcos also thanked the children's parents and guardians, adding that they are the most loved sector as they are the future of the nation. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News