THE Valenzuela City government led by Mayor Weslie Gatchalian gave a Christmas treat to over 2, 000 special kids during its “SNED (Special Needs Education) Holiday 2024” last Friday at the city’s People’s Park Amphitheater.
The SNED Holiday is an annual Christmas party dedicated to children with special needs, gathering them with their parents and teachers into one, big celebration, Gatchalian said.
The learners with disabilities (LWDs) from the Valenzuela Special Needs Education Center and different public schools in the city brought their skills and talents to the stage through their Christmas-themed performances, according to the city’s public information office (PIO).
Taking the celebration up a notch, Gatchalian said the local government provided various gift packs to all participants while other gifts were handed out through raffle draws.
Expressing his holiday wishes to the SNED students, the city chief executive reiterated Valenzuela’s commitment to fostering the children’s welfare through inclusive and accessible services on child protection, ensuring that their rights are always taken with utmost consideration.
Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, the city’s first lady Tiffany Gatchalian, 1st Congressional District Programs director Kenneth Gatchalian represented by his spouse, Anneth Gatchalian, and other city councilors joined the children during the grand Christmas celebration.
“The local government has always been ready to assist the youth in their development as they navigate their way toward building their unique individuality,” the mayor said.
Marcos’ gifts
In neighboring Malabon City, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and City Administrator Alexander Rosete thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his nationwide gift-giving activity that benefited 1,500 Malabuenyo children.
With the theme “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya,” the event was launched for the third straight year by the Office of the President through the Social Secretary Office in partnership with the local government, Metropolitan Development Authority, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The activity aimed to bring joy to the children by giving them different items such as trolley bags, watches, tumblers, socks, face and hand towels, and raincoats that they can use in school or their daily activities, Rosete told The Manila Times.
“The entire Malabon is very thankful to the president for bringing the activity in the city and making the children joyful,” Sandoval said.
On Friday, the city government held the “Paskong Malabueño Giant Christmas Tree and Lantern Lighting” ceremony highlighting the “bayanihan” culture through activities that involved communities, cultural groups, and local government employees, the top city officials said.
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