President Benigno Aquino 3rd joined the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in the grand Christmas celebration organized by the state-owned gaming agency for 1,955 street sweepers from the cities of Manila, Parañaque and Pasay.

The event, which was held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, was literally filled with color as thousands of street sweepers clad in red, green and yellow uniforms joined the festive celebration on December 10. The street sweepers were Pagcor’s beneficiaries on the 11th day of its “Bayanihan: Pamaskong Handog ng Pagcor 2012.” Pagcor allocated over P2.8 million for the purchase of noche buena gift packs to the beneficiaries. They came as early as 7 a.m. at the venue and gamely participated in Pagcor’s grand Christmas party for them.

In his speech, President Aquino lauded Pagcor for its efforts to reach out to the less privileged sectors of society. “Layunin ng proyektong ito na bigyang pugay ang mga kababayan nating mas nangangailangan gaya ng mga cultural minorities, mga may kapansanan, mga batang inabandona, mga nakakatanda at marami pang iba katulad ninyong mga street sweepers,” he said.

He added that with the successful leadership of Chairman Naguiat, the Corporation which was formerly tainted with controversy and issues of corruption, served as Santa Claus to many Filipinos in need.

The President also commended the street sweepers for their dedication to their work. “Ang inyong pagpunyagi ay katibayan ng ating patuloy na reporma sa pamahalaan. Anuman ang ating katayuan sa buhay, ang ating mga sakripisyo sa trabaho at pagtulong sa kapwa ang pumapantay sa ating tagumpay,” he noted.

Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Cristino Naguiat Jr. noted it was the first time that the agency hosted such a grand Christmas party for the street sweepers. “Ang mga street sweepers ang nagpapanatili ng kalinisan sa maraming bahagi ng Metro Manila. Masaya kami sa Pagcor dahil ngayong panahon ng Kapaskuhan, nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na sila’y bigyang pugay sa kanilang mga sakripisyo. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na makakasama natin sila sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko,” he said.

The Pagcor chief added the presence of President Aquino made the event more relevant for Metro Manila’s street sweepers. “We are thankful that the President has been very supportive of Pagcor’s annual gift-giving tradition. Since we launched the Pamaskong Handog project in 2010, President Aquino always had time to join us in spreading Christmas cheer to the marginalized sectors and less privileged Filipinos.”

Sixty-four-year-old Catalina Cortez is one of the street sweepers from the city of Manila who is grateful for having a regular employment despite her old age. She may be earning a meager income as a street sweeper but her job helps her fulfill big dreams for her seven grandchildren.

“Maswerte po ako dahil kahit matanda na ako nabigyan pa din ako ng pagkakataong makapagtrabaho. Maliit man ang kinikita ko, malaki naman ang naitutulong nito upang mabigyan ko ng magandang bukas ang aking mga apo,” she explained.

Col. Carlos Baltazar, Department of Public Safety chief of the Manila City government said the government recognizes the efforts of street sweepers. It always finds ways to uplift their living conditions. He explained that they are covered with accident insurance since they are exposed to road and environmental hazards.

“Bukod dito nagkakaloob din ang Manila City government ng scholarship para sa mga street sweepers na gustong makapagtapos ng kolehiyo at makakuha ng magandang trabaho.”

Baltazar is glad that the Manila’s street sweepers together with those from the cities of Pasay and Paranaque were chosen as beneficiaries of Pagcor’s gift-giving project. “Ang mga street sweepers po ay nabibilang sa pinakamaliit na sector ng lingkod-bayan kaya’t marapat lang na sila’y mabigyan ng kasiyahan sa darating na Kapaskuhan. Maraming salamat sa Pagcor sa pagkilala sa dakilang gawain ng mga taong ito,” he said.

The street sweepers of Manila are under the supervision of the city government’s Department of Public Services, while those in Pasay and Parañaque are under their local government’s Waste Management Units. Majority of them are in their late 30s or early 40s, with some already past their 50s or nearing retirement. Most of them have also been sweeping the streets for several years, some even for decades.

Pagcor’s Pamaskong Handog for the street sweepers was graced by Pasay City Representative Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto, Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim, Parañaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe, and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino.

Entertainment numbers featuring ASAP Sessionistas member Princess Velasco, Pinoy Dream Academy alumni Hansen Nichols, Lloyd Zaragoza and veteran singer Eva Eugenio brought loud cheers to the beneficiaries who attended the event.