DSWD kicks off gift-giving, simple holiday cheer for residents of its care facilities

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will hold a series of simple gift-giving activities and celebrations for the residents of its centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs) to remind them that they are loved and cared for, especially during the Christmas holidays.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian kicked off the simple celebrations at the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and Other Special Cases (GRACES) in Quezon City on Friday.

“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,” he said in a press statement over the weekend.

(We have different activities in our care facilities. In fact, each year, on December 24th, 25th, 31st, and on January 1st, we have special parties inside our care facilities.)

Gatchalian said he chose to visit the elderly residents of GRACES first to ensure that 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,” he said.

(This time of the year is a happy time for most, but for those staying in our shelters, they are lonely and long for their families. Having someone visit them is already a big deal for them. So we brought some presents for them.)

“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,” he added.

(This is part of the Christmas celebrations that we have in our shelters. The directive of our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is to ensure that the residents of our shelters will also feel the joy and meaning of Christmas.)

In Metro Manila, the DSWD manages 12 CRCFs that provide protection, rehabilitation, and care for disadvantaged sectors of different categories such as the elderly and the youth.

Around 200 elderly residents of GRACES, including homeless senior citizens and bed-ridden elderly residents, received gift packages from 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,” he said.

(Our culture in Filipino families is that we usually have our elderly grow old with us in our homes. So it’s sad that we have 200 elderly residents who were neglected, but happy in another sense that the government is giving them attention.)

Gatchalian also thanked the Senate for considering the proposed increase in the DSWD’s budget for its CRCFs or shelters.

Those who wish to donate to the residents of the DSWD’s shelters may visit the Kaagapay donations portal website at https://kaagapay.dswd.gov.ph/home. — JMA, GMA Integrated News