President Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Saturday led the annual Christmas gift-giving event at Malacañang, assuring young beneficiaries that the government will continue working hard for the country’s youth.
Calling Filipino children the nation’s “greatest treasure,” Marcos said their presence inside the Palace brings joy and strengthens the resolve of those in government.
“Kaming mga nagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan, kapag kami nakikita namin kayo, naaalala namin kaya kami nagtatrabaho, hindi para sa sarili namin, kung hindi para sa inyo,” the President said.
“Kaya tumitibay ang loob namin, lumalakas ang loob namin, nagiging kami mas masipag kapag nakikita namin kayo, kayo ang dahilan sa lahat ng aming ginagawa,” he added.
The “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya Nationwide Gift-Giving” program—launched in 2022—aims to create meaningful Christmas experiences for Filipino children. Now in its fourth year, the Kalayaan grounds were transformed into a festive amusement park with inflatables, games, circus acts, booths, and food stalls for around 3,000 children from DSWD centers and nearby barangays.
Simultaneous activities in 56 DSWD centers and 78 DepEd schools brought the total number of beneficiaries to about 19,000 children nationwide.