As the academic year reaches its peak with final exams and the festive season approaches, the Mandaue City Government has rolled out a significant Christmas assistance program aimed at supporting its residents. Mayor Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano announced the "Gugma sa Pasko" initiative on December 9, 2025, a direct response to the financial strain many families face in preparing a traditional holiday meal.
Substantial Funding and City-Wide Coverage
The City Government has committed a substantial P60 million from its General Fund to finance the program. This allocation makes Mandaue the first local government unit in Cebu to implement such comprehensive holiday food assistance. The scale of the project is vast, with the city preparing a total of 100,000 food packs. This number ensures coverage extends beyond the 86,000 households initially identified as in need through the 2023 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).
Each food pack, valued at P600, is carefully curated to include essential items for a Filipino Noche Buena feast. Contents typically consist of ten goods, such as:
- Spaghetti noodles and sauce
- Chinese luncheon meat
- Fruit cocktail
- Cheese
- Sausage
- Various canned goods
Distribution Schedule and Community Impact
The distribution of the Noche Buena packs was scheduled to take place from December 14 to 19, 2025, across several barangays including Paknaan and Labogon. The city has also made provisions for households that were not listed in the original CBMS survey. These families can still avail of the assistance through a barangay-level validation process, ensuring no one in genuine need is left out.
For the student population in Mandaue, this initiative is particularly meaningful. It highlights how local government action can directly alleviate household burdens during a period where academic pressure and financial concerns often intersect. Students from families grappling with rising food costs may find some relief, allowing them to focus more on their studies and enjoy the holiday season with less economic stress.
Broader Context of Holiday Assistance in Cebu
Mandaue City is not alone in its efforts to spread Christmas cheer through tangible aid. Toledo City is conducting a similar program, distributing 25 kilograms of rice per household from December 10 to 18, 2025. These parallel initiatives across Cebu's local governments underscore a regional commitment to supporting constituents during the holidays, emphasizing community care and shared responsibility in times of celebration.
The "Gugma sa Pasko" program stands as a concrete example of public funds being channeled to address immediate community needs, fostering a sense of shared celebration and support as the year draws to a close.
