BACOLOD City – Several residents here received gift assistance and social support from the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI) and the Office of the Senate during a gift-giving program held at SM City Bacolod.
The SSFI, in partnership with SM City Bacolod, distributed P6,000 worth of gift certificates to 45 indigent children identified by the city’s Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD). The beneficiaries enjoyed a supervised shopping spree for clothing, toys, and basic necessities.
In addition, 102 individuals were issued guarantee letters for burial, medical, and other assistance through the Senate Assist program.
Mayor Greg Gasataya, who attended the event held at the mall’s Atrium on November 19—coinciding with his 55th birthday—expressed gratitude to the foundation, the 24 senators, and SM City Bacolod for selecting the city as one of the program’s beneficiaries.
Ciarra Sotto, representing her mother Helen Gamboa-Sotto, said the SSFI’s project, “Christmas in November,” is an annual gift-giving initiative conducted in partnership with the SM Store. The program aims to bring early Christmas cheer to underprivileged children, especially those from vulnerable and marginalized sectors.
She added that the SSFI hopes to expand the initiative nationwide, with Bacolod chosen this year as one of the host locations.
The annual event typically includes a shopping activity for children, meals, fun games, and assistance booths, including support from Senate Assist and other social service desks.
The SSFI and SM have collaborated on similar gift-giving programs since at least 1998, continuing their long-running mission of extending help to communities across the country./PN
