The “LAB (Lingap at Alagang Bayanihan) for All: Christmas for All” Gift-Giving Project, organized by concerned government agencies, cheered up homeless families and street dwellers at the Jose Fabella Center in Mandaluyong City a week before Christmas Day.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said the concept of the “Lab for All” project, which has been brought to many places in the country, is to provide for the needy where the government and private sector collaborate.
“This is not just a one-day project for Christmas but a continuous giving, loving, and sharing.”
“It is a whole of government approach with different government agencies working together with the First Lady Liza Marcos taking the lead and of course, the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. This is not just a one-day project for Christmas but a continuous giving, loving, and sharing,” Abalos explained. “This is also a part of the government’s efforts to ensure that there will be no more street dwellers in Metro Manila.”
“The project is not just about distribution of gifts but also providing health care, social services, and livelihood assistance to more than 250 beneficiaries.”
MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the project, in participation with the Office of the First Lady, is not just about distribution of gifts but also providing health care, social services, and livelihood assistance to more than 250 beneficiaries.
“We will expand the programs to provide training through DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) and TESDA (Technical Education And Skills Development Authority), livelihood assistance, and other programs with the Metro Manila Spouses Foundation, other government agencies and corporate partners for a joyful and meaningful celebration this Christmas season,” Artes stressed.
Abalos, Artes, Metro Manila Council President and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr., Malacañang Palace’s Atty. Hanna Barcena, MMDA General Manager Usec. Procopio Lipana and MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Asec. David Angelo Vargas led the distribution of food packs, health kits, gift and grocery packs to individuals who are temporarily sheltered at the Center.
For his part, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos expressed gratitude for bringing the project to the facility in Mandaluyong City, “known to be a place of caring people.”
Department of Health-National Capital Region (DOH-NCR) Regional Director Dr. Gloria Balboa, Zamora and wife Metro Manila Mayors’ Spouses Foundation President Keri Zamora, Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma also expressed support to the project.
