2,800 underprivileged kids in Cebu City to benefit from ‘Pasko sa Uptown 2023’

Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who started the ‘Pasko sa Uptown’ activity, says Christmas is for children. | Gerard Francisco

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Around 2,800 underprivileged children in Cebu City aged seven to 11 years old will benefit in the 13th ‘Pasko sa Uptown’ in December 2023.

With the theme “Pasko Saulogon, Kabataan Lipayon,” the Christmas activity will serve 55 barangays in Cebu City and five cemeteries (Carreta, Calamba, Chinese, Lorega Chapel Camansi, and Kamagayan Ext.) for their annual gift-giving activity.

The distribution for their bundles will be held on December 9 to 10, and 16 to 19, in the gyms of their barangays and in the identified cemeteries.

The Christmas activity is the flagship project of Cebu City Progressive Uptown Movement (CCPUM), Cebu City government, and the private sectors.

In addition to the feeding program, the children will receive gifts such as raincoats, bags, notebooks, pencils, and toys during the event.

Last year, there were about 4,000 underprivileged children from Cebu City’s 80 barangays who benefited from the city government’s program held on Dec. 10, 2022 at the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC).

READ MORE: ‘Pasko sa Uptown’ 2022 to gather 4,000 underprivileged children this Saturday

The event organizers noticed a decrease in the number of their beneficiaries this year.

Crislito Nieves, president of CCPUM, said on Thursday, December 7, that among the reasons why they could not cater the 80 barangays this year was because some of their partners in the private sector did not have “enough funds” for the sponsorship.

Nieves mentioned that the funds allocated by the city government for this year’s activity are less than the previous year’s budget.

In 2022, Cebu City allocated P1.9 million for the activity, but in 2023, the budget reduced to approximately P900,000.

The beneficiaries were identified by the satellite staff of Barangay Affairs Office (BAO).

“As much as possible, the Cebu City Progressive Uptown Movement will be doing our best [so] that next year, all 80 barangays will be accommodated,” Nieves said.

The following are the barangays in Cebu City chosen to be the beneficiaries in this year’s Pasko sa Uptown:

South Barangays

• Bulacao
• Pob. Pardo
• Cogon Pardo
• Inayawan
• Kinasang-an
• Calamba
• Guadalupe
• San Nicolas Proper
• Tisa
• Labangon
• Duljo Fatima
• Sawang Calero
• Pahina San Nicolas
• Pasil
• Suba
• Basak Pardo
• Basak San Nicolas
• Quiot
• Mambaling
• Punta Princesa

North Barangays

• Lahug
• Apas
• Barrio Luz
• Banilad
• Talamban
• Kasambagan
• Mabolo
• Hipodromo
• Carreta
• Tejero
• Sambag 1
• Sambag 2
• Capitol Site
• Kamputhaw
• Santa Cruz
• Sto. Niño
• Parian
• Tinago
• T. Padilla
• San Roque
• Ermita
• Pahina Central
• Day-as
• Kamagayan
• Cogon Ramos
• Lorega
• San Antonio
• Kalubihan
• Zapatera