Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) have started the province-wide gift-giving activity to shed a light and bring joy in time for the Holiday season and amidst the pandemic.
Through the “Narimat a Paskua: Handog ng PGIN sa mga Ilokano,” the different Capitol Departments have prepared over 27,000 economic and social welfare assistance to various sectors in the province.
17,000 Noche Buena packages with 250 gift vouchers and another 1,300 leisure incentive vouchers have been given to COVID-19 frontliners. Likewise, Millennium Development Goals family-beneficiaries and tourism workers will be receiving one of the 1,115 and 1,200 Noche Buena packages, respectively. Moreover, 3,000 senior citizens will also receive grocery packs, and some 200 beneficiaries of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, support services.
PGIN has been handing out presents like assorted grocery items, business carts, and cash assistance, competency-based training, livestock, and various livelihood kits to almost 500 displaced workers and entrepreneurs to help them recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.
In the education sector, daycare pupils and 2,000 provincial scholars will receive 12,000 school supplies and snacks, and cash incentives, respectively. In addition, around 3,900 tablet computers will be donated to the Department of Education-Ilocos Norte Division to aid the implementation of blended learning in the province.
Farmers Associations in Ilocos Norte will also obtain several agricultural machines such as tractors, harvesters, and transplanters. PGIN has equipped Barangay Nutrition Committees with height and weight measuring devices too.
“Hindi po natin alam kung paano ang Christmas natin this year. But after everything that we have been through, let’s be thankful that we are all healthy and we have the opportunity to enjoy each other’s presence,” Governor Manotoc remarked during the Capitol Christmas Tree Light-up.— Blessing Angel V. Agliam, PGIN-CMO
