FLORIDABLANCA -- In celebration of his 64th birthday Tuesday, Mayor Darwin Manalansan distributed gift packs to some 3,000 indigent constituents coming from four villages at the Municipal Hall Annex Palmayo Resettlement area here.
Manalansan told SunStar Pampanga that the gift packs which took three days to repack was shouldered by his family and will serve as his gift to his indigent constituents.
He said that instead of the usual birthday party, he opted to spend the money to buy rice and canned goods that were distributed to 3,000 individuals coming from villages Apalit, Pabanlag, Pandaguirig, and Palmayo who are now housed at the said resettlement center.
“My family decided that instead of a birthday party, we just buy rice and canned goods for our townmates so they will have something to eat and be part of the birthday celebration,” Manalansan said.
Vice Mayor Michael Galang said that he admires Mayor Manalansan for his selfless act of kindness, saying that it is truly admirable in the part of the local chief executive to give gifts on his birthday.
“Our mayor is truly admirable. Aside from being loving and caring for the needy, he never gets tired of helping just like now. Where would you find a mayor who celebrates his birthday by giving instead of eceiving gifts? Galang said.
Galang said that Manalansan's heart is very close to the poor, saying that during his youth he struggled to earn for his education and worked meager jobs before he earned his fortune.
“The poor are close to the mayor’s heart because he too was born in a poor family. He just studied hard, worked hard as a waiter, barber and overseas. We he earned enough, he came back here to help others,” Galang added.
Edelyn Lobo, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office head said that aside from the 3,000 gift packs, Manalansan also distributed “Cash for Work” to some 62 Aetas coming from Nabuclod, Mawacat and sitio Camatchile.
Meanwhile, 1,000 local residents, mostly fresh graduates, benefitted from the job fair or “Trabahong Handog ni Mayor” held at the municipal gym here.
Ver Pineda, Peso head said that an estimated 1,000 applicants were served during the whole day job fair where 13 local and 7 international locators participated.
She said that agencies like PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-ibig and Philippine Air Force also participated in the job fair.
Manalansan reminded the applicants to keep on striving and work hard to achieve their goals in life.
“Study hard, work hard and always have faith in God. By doing so you will become successful and live a comfortable,” Manalansan added.
Also present during Tuesday's celebration were Manalansan's wife Lucy, son Darren, daughter Darelou, Sanggunian Bayan members, barangay chairmen, senior citizens, teachers, multi-sectoral groups and other guests. (Chris Navarro)