San Pablo City Mayor Arcadio “Najie” Gapangada Jr. has appealed to his constituents after the city’s plan to distribute Noche Buena packages this December failed to push through as originally intended.
Mayor Gapangada had requested ₱45 million from the Sangguniang Panlungsod to buy ₱500 worth of groceries for each of the city’s 84,000 households, regardless of economic status. The total proposed funding amounted to ₱45 million, but the council approved only ₱14.9 million.
Because of the reduced budget, the mayor said only the most indigent families will now benefit. He has instructed the City Social Welfare Department (CSWD) and the Bangon Bagong San Pablo Movement to identify the poorest families in the city.
“PINAHAHANAP KO ANG PINAKA INDIGENT NA FAMILIES , YUNG TALAGANG WALANG WALA SA ATING CSWD AT SAKA SA ATING BANGON BAGONG SAN PABLO MOVEMENT , PA IDENTIFIED ANG PINAKAMAHIHIRAP NA TAO , YUN MAN LANG MABIGYAN NATIN , PERO MALI YON EH , MAHIRAP O MAYAMAN DAPAT LAHAT NA NOCHE BUENA .”
“I asked our CSWD and the Bangon Bagong San Pablo Movement to find the most indigent families, those who truly have nothing. At least they can receive something. But it’s still wrong — rich or poor, everyone should receive a Noche Buena package,” Gapangada said.
The mayor criticized the council, saying the vice mayor and majority bloc are not politically aligned with him.
Council: Only ₱14.9 Million Is Legally Allowed
In a statement, Vice Mayor Justin Colago explained that the council approved only ₱14.9 million because that was the maximum amount that could legally be sourced from the city’s general fund.
The remaining ₱30 million-plus that Mayor Gapangada wanted to use would have to come from the Gender and Development (GAD) Program, but the vice mayor said it cannot be easily released.
Colago, who also presides over the council, stressed that GAD funds have strict guidelines, and distributing Christmas gifts is not an allowable expense.
Mayor Insists GAD Already Allowed It
Mayor Gapangada, however, maintained that GAD officials had already authorized the use of the fund for the Noche Buena packages.
“They already assembled and came up with a resolution allowing us to avail of the funds,” the mayor insisted.
Mayor’s Message to Residents
Mayor Gapangada addressed the public, assuring those who may not receive aid this Christmas that the city will still push through with the program once fully approved.
“MGA KABABAYAN YUNG HINDI PO MAABOT NG ATING PAMASKING HANDOG GAWA PO NG OCT.21 PA PO NAMAN YAN SINUBMIT NA SABI NGA NILA BECAUSE OF PROCESS , LONG PROCESS NG SANGGUNIAN PO AY BAKA PO AY HINDI NA UMABOT NA SA ATING PASKUHAN , EH ITO PO NAMAN INAASURE KO SA INYO , BASTA ITO AY INAPRUBAHAN NG SANGGUNIAN KAHIT ITO PO AY JANUARY NA , PARARATINGIN KO PO SA INYO , PARA MATIKMAN PO NINYO ANG PAGMAMAHAL NG ATING PAMAHALAANG LUNGSOD , YUNG PO GINAGAWA NAMIN SA BARANGAY NA NAGPAPADALA PO KAMI NG TULONG ,ISASAMA PO NAMIN PARA MADALA SA INYO. “
“To those who may not receive our Christmas aid — this was submitted as early as October 21, but because of the long process in the council, it may no longer reach you in time for Christmas,” he said.
“But I assure you, once the council approves it — even if it’s already January — we will deliver it to you. We want you to feel the love of our city government. Whatever assistance we bring to the barangays, we will make sure it reaches you.”
