A 9-year-old child, whose father passed away, was among the 2,500 indigent children who enjoyed an early Christmas treat given by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza yesterday.
Jason, who spent the last three years at the Homecare Center for Children, located in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, enjoyed the free rides at the carnival outside the Hoops Dome in the barangay.
The carnival set up their rides there since the early part of the fiesta celebrations last November.
He also enjoyed the games for children and the toys given during the party inside the Hoops Dome.
“Malipay kaayo ko basta moabot na ang Christmas kay daghan manghatag og regalo namo (I am happy when Christmas arrives because many people would give us gifts),” said Jason.
Jason was left by his mother to his grandmother, who took him to Homecare because she could not take care of him.
The Homecare Center for Children handles more than 50 children who were abandoned by their parents.
Ermilita Degamo, the City Social Welfare Department head, said around 100 to 150 children from indigent families from each 19 barangays in mainland Lapu-Lapu City were selected through the barangay social welfare services office to join yesterday’s Christmas party.
Mayor Radaza said that during her first stint as mayor, she already initiated a Christmas treat for children.
“Kamo ang usa sa mga hinungdan sa pagsaulog sa pasko, mao nga maglipay kita, maglingaw-lingaw ug hinaot nga malipayon kamo niining paskoha (You are one of the reasons we celebrate Christmas, so let’s be merry, have fun and I hope you are happy this Christmas),” said Radaza.
Degamo said that another Christmas party for all children in the mainland Lapu-Lapu and Olango Island would be held after Christmas Day.
This would be held in Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob and Barangay Talima in Olango Island, where a Kiddie Land would be set up in these gymnasiums.