Pasig will celebrate more Christmas festivities next year if COVID-19 cases will continue to decline, according to Mayor Vico Sotto on Monday.
But for now, the mayor said the focus is to continue stamping out the pandemic.
"Gagawin na natin lahat ng makakaya natin para sa susunod na Pasko ay 'yung mga activities, yung mga concert at lahat pa ng gusto nating gawin ay magagawa na natin basta talagang ligtas na ligtas na," he told DZRH in an interview.
(We will do everything in our power so that for our next Christmas, activities, concerts, and all that we want to do can be done as long as it is safe.)
According to Sotto, the city is focusing on going from house to house for their Pamaskong Handog Distribution, with everyone expected to receive goods from the local government.
"Lahat po mayaman, mahirap, mapuntahan lahat, 'yan po ang bagong tradisyon natin sa lungsod Pasig na inaabangan ng mga tao," he said.
(It’s for everyone, rich, poor, that’s the new tradition in Pasig City that is much awaited by the people.)
Sotto made the remarks after former Pasig Mayor Bobby Eusebio criticized the current local administration on its lack of Christmas decorations on the streets and distribution of goods.
"Salamat at may ayuda. Sana … walang pinipili, sana meron din kahit bato ang bahay (sabi nga niya kahit nakatira ka sa condo) at sana wala ring QR pass… kaya kung sabi ninyo may ayuda, 'sana all,'" the former mayor said on a Facebook post.
(Thank you for the aid. I hope all are given even if their houses are made of stone (he said even those living in a condo) and I hope there are no QR passes … so if you can say that there is an aid, then I hope it’s for everyone.)
But Sotto defended his government's distribution and even claimed that they are also knocking on Eusebio's door.
"Sa totoo, kahit yung bahay niya kinakatok po namin kapag may Pamaskong Handog. Nasa sa kanila na yun kung tatanggapin nila o hindi," he said.
(Honestly, we also knock on his house during Pamaskong Handog. It is up to them if they will accept it or not.)
The sitting mayor also brushed off the criticism from the previous one and said they are not focusing much on Christmas lights along the streets.
"Para sa akin, hindi na po isyu yan, masaya naman po kami dito sa Pasig," he said.
(For me it’s not an issue, we are happy here in Pasig.)
"Sa ngayon ang focus natin, may konting pailaw, pero hindi talaga 'yun ang focus natin, ang focus natin ay makapag-bahay-bahay tayo sa Pamaskong Handog. 'Yan ang talagang inaabangan ng maraming Pasigueño," he later added.
(For now our focus is, maybe a couple of lights, but our focus really is to go house-to-house for Pamaskong Handog. Many Pasigueños are waiting for it.)
