In the Davao Region, the 2025 Christmas season transcended the usual festive trappings of lights and carols. Across its provinces and cities, local governments transformed the holidays into a profound period of service, characterized by widespread generosity, community care, and initiatives that embodied the authentic meaning of Pasko for their constituents.
Provincial Initiatives: From Financial Aid to Child-Centered Joy
The spirit of giving took concrete form through varied programs across the region's five provinces. Each local government unit tailored its efforts to address specific community needs, ensuring the season's joy reached grassroots levels.
In Davao del Sur, the Provincial Government leveraged its year-end convocations for Christmas goodwill. During gatherings at the Digos City Coliseum, financial assistance was provided to numerous barangays. Most received ₱100,000 as incentives for their functionaries, with specific allocations like ₱150,000 for Brgy. New Clarin in Bansalan and ₱100,000 for Brgy. Poblacion Dos. Furthermore, the province distributed 22 rescue vehicles, each worth ₱870,000, to barangays in Digos City, Sta. Cruz, and Bansalan to bolster local disaster response. Governor Yvonne R. Cagas also continued her tradition of giving food packs to patients and watchers at the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital.
Davao de Oro focused its celebrations on children. On December 25, under Governor Raul "RM" Mabanglo and Congresswoman Maricar Zamora-Mabanglo, kids enjoyed games, free ice cream, clown shows, and mascot performances. The provincial government also provided a Jollibee Christmas lunch to patients and staff in four provincial hospitals, framing joy and compassion as vital public services.
Gratitude and Support for Frontline Communities
Other provinces emphasized support for barangay workers and vulnerable sectors, recognizing their year-round service.
In Davao Oriental, the GNLD Pamaskong Handog culminated in Mati City on December 23, 2025, benefiting 3,917 barangay functionaries from 23 barangays. Similar distributions occurred in San Isidro and Governor Generoso, where barangay workers each received 25 kilos of rice as a token of gratitude for their role in implementing local projects.
Davao Occidental prioritized inclusion. In Jose Abad Santos, the local government, supported by Mayor Atty. Jason John A. Joyce, provided ₱2,000 cash gifts to 1,544 persons with disabilities and 908 senior citizens not covered by national pensions from December 18 to 20. The municipality also held its sixth annual Christmas gathering for habal-habal drivers.
In Davao del Norte, Panabo City Mayor Jose E. Relampagos distributed five kilos of rice to every city employee during a Pamaskong Handog on December 22, 2025. Meanwhile, Tagum City, under Mayor Rey T. Uy, hosted the "Kalipay sa Pasko" children's gift-giving event on December 13 for beneficiaries of the Atiman Program, featuring performances and gifts.
A Unified Theme: Governance Rooted in Compassion
The collective efforts across the Davao Region in 2025 highlighted a shared governance philosophy centered on compassion and tangible service. Whether through financial incentives, essential goods, rescue equipment, hospital visits, or children's parties, the season was redefined as a collective act of giving.
These initiatives served as a powerful reminder that the essence of Pasko lies in shared kindness and that effective public service is, fundamentally, an act of love for the community.
