ILOILO CITY: A total of 25,000 individuals will receive a gift pack from the city hall here as an annual gift giving project of City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, the city council and the whole city government.

City Administrator Norlito Bautista said the gift packs consisting of rice, noodles, sardines and other goodies will be given to 2,000 senior citizens and 500 persons with disabilities on Friday, December 28, 2012 at the Freedom Grandstand.

Another batch of 22,500 gift packs will be given to the indigents with tickets earlier distributed by the barangay captains to their constituents on Saturday, December 29, also at the Freedom Grandstand.

Mabilog will lead in the gift pack distribution to the recipients as his traditional Christmas activity to the less privileged citizens here starting at 7 AM.

The city council has approved a resolution allowing P4 million to purchase the Christmas goodies at P160 per package.

On the other hand, the city government here will lead in the December 30, 2012 celebration of Rizal Day. Bautista said that all city government officials and employees are enjoined to participate in the celebration to be held at Plaza Libertad Sunday, December 30 starting at 7:00 AM.

The city mayor is inviting the public to see and enjoy the New Year Countdown with fireworks display and other pyrotechnics while waiting for the 2013 New Year. The countdown will be held along the Iloilo River fronting the Iloilo Customs House.

Traffic will be closed to vehicles on the evening of December 31, 2012 from the foot of the Quirino Lopez Bridge up to Muelle Loney for the New Year countdown.