“The biggest treasure that we have here in the Philippines are these, our children, the future of our country.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the traditional gift-giving at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañan Palace on Saturday.
In welcoming the children to the Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya 2025 Nationwide Gift-Giving, President Marcos said having the children around brings cheer to the Palace and provides strength to surpass the challenges faced by the nation.
“Kaya ako, kami ay nagpapasalamat na kahit na mabigat ang hinaharap natin na mga hamon ay kahit papano meron tayong isang kaunting panahon, lalo na pag Pasko, na kailangan naman natin maalala ang mga swerte natin sa buhay, ang mga biyaya natin sa nakaraang taon,” said the President.
“At ang pinakamalaking biyaya, the biggest treasure that we have here in the Philippines are these, our children, the future of our country,” the President stressed.
The Chief Executive said the children are the reason why the administration strives to serve the people and improve the country.
“Kaming mga nagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan, kapag kami nakikita namin kayo, naaalala namin kaya kami nagtatrabaho, hindi para sa sarili namin, kung hindi para sa inyo,” said President Marcos.
“Kaya tumitibay ang loob namin, lumalakas ang loob namin, nagiging kami mas masipag kapag nakikita namin kayo, kayo ang dahilan sa lahat ng aming ginagawa,” the President added.
The Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya Nationwide Gift-Giving was initiated by the Office of the President in 2022 to create meaningful Christmas experiences for Filipino children.
Now on its fourth year, the celebration once again transformed the Kalayaan grounds of the Palace into an amusement park with inflatables, games, circus acts, activity booths and food stalls for 3,000 children from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Centers and nearby barangays.
Simultaneous gift-giving activities were conducted in 56 DSWD Centers and 78 Department of Education (DepEd) schools nationwide for 19,000 children. (PND)
