ABOUT 200 children of women in especially difficult circumstances (WEDC) in Cagayan de Oro City received some Christmas cheer from City Hall whose officials and department managers gave them gifts as part of their ‘Project Angel Tree’ held at the City Hall quadrangle Monday afternoon.

“We are thankful to our City Hall elected officials and our department managers for their enthusiastic response to our gift-giving program. However simple the gifts may be, it’s the spirit of generosity that counts (and by playing Santa Claus) we hope to bring some Christmas cheer to all beneficiaries,” said Sheila Lumbatan, chief of staff of Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy in Visayan during the program opening.

The beneficiaries came from Barangays Carmen, Gusa, Tablon, Cugman, and Bulua. ‘Project Angel Tree’ is an initiative of City Hall’s Gender and Development Focal Point System (GDFPS) co-chaired by Mayor Uy and Lumbatan.

PLAYING SANTA TO ORO KIDS. City Hall officials like Mayor Uy’s chief of staff Sheila Lumbatan (shown here with one of 200 child recipients) mark the culmination of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women in Cagayan de Oro City with a gift-giving activity for 200 children of women in especially difficult circumstances held at the City Hall quadrangle. Photo courtesy of CIO Jun Canete

Councilor Imee Rose Moreno, the GDFPS vice-chairperson, said the gift-giving program is City Hall’s simple gesture of support to the city’s WEDC.

“This program is an indication that we are ready and willing to help you in any way we can,” said Moreno, who also chairs the 20th City Council’s committee on women and family relations.

For her part Councilor Joyleen ‘Girlie’ Balaba cited the timing of the activity, saying the onset of the Christmas season brings a positive and hopeful vibe to City Hall’s own campaign to end violence against women.

“Where the women are, that’s where the children are and children are usually in the company of their parents…as chairperson of the 20th City Council’s social services committee, we are continually strengthening our programs for women and children’s welfare to contribute to their well being and empowerment as well as awareness of their rights to a high quality of life,” Balaba said in Visayan.

Aside from gifts, a magic show and dance numbers by famed mascots were staged for the beneficiaries. Monday’s program was the culmination of the city’s 18-day observance of the annual nationwide campaign to end violence against women spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

The PCW launched the campaign in cooperation with the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and Their Children. (Stephen Capillas with a report from Maria Monica Borja of the City Information Office)