CHED share gifts to PWDs, Senior Citizens in Tree of Hope Project Year 8
“May our visit and gifts bring smiles to your faces and joy in your hearts.”
Dr. Danilo Bose, Chief Education Program Specialist, shared these words as he addressed the 100 beneficiaries of this year’s Tree of Hope Project, held in San Gabriel and Bagulin, La Union, on December 18, 2024.
Now in its 8th year, the Tree of Hope is an outreach program aimed at supporting indigent persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens (SCs).
In the morning, the CHED Region 1 team headed to the San Gabriel Plaza, where 25 PWDs and 25 senior citizens received gift packs.
To introduce CHED to the beneficiaries, Dr. Bose highlighted the agency’s initiatives, including scholarship programs and efforts to assist higher education institutions in promoting inclusive practices and policies for PWDs and SCs.
“Sapay koma ta maimatangan mi met ti nagan na dagiti annak yo o apo yo idiay listaan iti CHED scholars [We hope to see the names of your children or grandchildren in the list of CHED scholars],” he added, encouraging families to take advantage of CHED’s opportunities.
San Gabriel Mayor Lany Carbonell, through a representative from the Municipal Social Welfare Office, expressed gratitude for the project and reiterated the municipality’s support.
In the afternoon, the team traveled to Bagulin Auditorium for a similar activity.
Bagulin Mayor Virgilio Flor welcomed the group to his office and shared some words of appreciation to CHED for helping 25 PWDs and 25 SCs in the municipality.
During the program, Mrs. Jofoten Gina Flor, the municipal administrator, spoke on his behalf.
“Thank you, CHED, for choosing Bagulin as a recipient for the Project Tree of Hope. We look forward to more engagements with you since our municipality also has many college students who may need your assistance.”
The beneficiaries joined in the games and community singing before receiving their gift packs.
“Salamat po sa tulong na binigay po ninyo sa amin, meron na kaming handa sa Pasko… nawa’y basbasan po ang CHED nang marami pang biyaya at makatulong pa po, lalo sa amin na mga mahihirap [Thank you for the gifts you shared; now we have something to prepare for Christmas…may God bless CHED always, so it can help more people like us],” said Ms. Josefina Florida, one of the senior citizen recipients.
Together with Dr. Bose, Education Supervisors Dr. Al Gerald Barde, Dr. Myrelle Faith Mina, Dr. Ricky Cera, and Atty. Dessa Estrada; Administrative Aide Mr. Alfredo Pascual; Mr. Rodel Labayo; and Project Technical Staff Members Mr. Kotaro Jncyrl Velasco, Mr. Cholo Escobar, and Mr. Kristan Marco Crisostomo facilitated the activity.
“With every shared moment and every gift given, the Tree of Hope Project continues to embody the spirit of generosity and inclusion that CHED Region 1 stands for,” said Dr. Barde, Tree of Hope focal person.
𝘣𝘺 𝘒. 𝘝𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘰 & 𝘈. 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦
