Tacloban City—For several days, police officers traded their uniforms for Santa Claus costumes as they brought gifts and food packs to poor and remote communities in Eastern Visayas in this year’s Christmas celebration.
“This is a great opportunity of giving back to the community by sharing the blessings received to the target recipients who need it most,” said Brigadier General Ronaldo De Jesus, police director, as he led the gift-giving activities in the region.
“This Yuletide Season let us spread love and positivity amid the pandemic we are facing,” he added.
In Sitio Cabarasan, Barangay Sungi, Dulag, Leyte alone, at least 100 residents received a bundle containing food packs, other necessities, and cash from the police.
Acoustic band from the police regional command also sang Christmas carols and brought a short entertainment program to the recipients.
“We are very thankful for their Christmas gifts,” said Beverly Devaras, whose family members received holiday treats from the police.
Under its “Kapwa Ko, Sagot Ko” program, police in Northern Samar brought gifts to the indigent residents in Barangay Jose Abad Santos in Catarman “to share the spirit of the season.”
Colonel Arnel Apud, director of Northern Samar Police Provincial Office, personally delivered his gifts to the identified poor families.
“Our gift-giving activity initiatives are our way of letting the families in impoverished rural communities feel that they are special and loved. It was a beautiful thing to witness—the family members receiving their gifts and their faces lighting up as they received their presents,” said Captain Gilfran Gaffud, chief of San Ricardo Municipal Police Station in Southern Leyte.
“We are happy that in our own little way, we were able to make Christmas for the recipients extra special,” added Gaffud.
In Barangay Ligaya, Rosario, Northern Samar, police brought fun to the children as they distributed toys, school supplies, and cash.
“We are grateful and overjoyed to be part of another outreach activity to make Christmas a little brighter and merrier for the people of Northern Samar despite the coronavirus disease pandemic,” said Major Edwin Oloan Jr., commander of the 1st Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company.
“Simply sharing the blessings received is an act of gratitude for all the goodness God has showered upon us all despite this pandemic,” said the Palompon Municipal Police Station in Leyte as they delivered “bundles of joy” to some residents in the town on Christmas day.
Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, regional spokesperson, said that all 143 municipal police stations, along with mobile forces, city, and provincial police offices in Eastern Visayas, have participated in the gift-giving activities this year.
The regional police command also ordered the establishment of police assistance desks in all places of convergence “to help ensure peace and order during the celebration.”
This year’s Christmas celebration was generally peaceful in Eastern Visayas as no major untoward incident was recorded.