OLONGAPO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Olongapo-Zambales Chapter conducted a gift giving activity in the far-flung area of Sitio Mampueng.
The DPWH and the PICE members went to Sitio Mampueng where they gave ‘noche buena’ gifts to some 140 Aeta famililes last week.
DPWH 2nd District Engineer Hercules Manglicmot said they teamed up with the PICE to provide Aeta families with gifts so that, “our Aeta kins should also feel the warmth and happiness this Christmas season.”
He said the volunteers comprising of engineers and their families intend to teach their kids the true meaning of Christmas is in the giving. “We have also made treat bags full of candies so the Aeta kids could also have something this Christmas, after all, Christmas is for kids,” he said.
The ‘Pamaskong Handog 2016’ is just one of the many programs the DPWH had conducted to help the indigenous communities. “We also gave school supplies, bags and uniforms to Aeta kids before the opening of classes. Apart from that, we also provided their families with groceries,” Manglicmot said.
The district engineer pointed out their next target would be the town of Botolan, which is beyong their district. “Last year, our outreach program was conducted in Kanaynayan,” he added. (Dante M. Salvana)