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PCG chief: Christmas is reminder we exist to love

Philippines | National

PCG chief: Christmas is reminder we exist to love

By Martin Sadongdong

A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel hands out food and gift to a young girl during a gift-giving activity and feeding program in Brgy. Caminawit, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on Dec. 24, 2023. (Photo by PCG)

Amid the festivities happening around, Christmas is a reminder that, at least for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), people exist to love others.

PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan made the remark as he delivered a Christmas Day message centered on loving, giving, and caring on Monday, Dec. 25.

"Christmas reminds us that we exist to love the people around us. It is a chance to give what we can and care about those who need our assistance and service," Gavan said.

The Coast Guard chief also greeted the men and women of the PCG and urged them to work together to deliver the "best public service" to the people.

"I want our fellow Filipinos to experience the best Coast Guard service," he furthered.

“Let us celebrate the Christmas season with generosity and kindness so that through us, our God Almighty will be glorified," Gavan ended.

What better way to put into practice the PCG chief's message than give gifts and feed the hungry?

The PCG held a gift-giving activity and feeding program in Brgy. Caminawit, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on Sunday, Dec. 24, in time for the Christmas Eve.

A total of 110 children received toys, books, school supplies, and new clothes from the PCG Station Occidental Mindoro.

The PCG Station Occidental Mindoro said the humanitarian initiative "brought smiles to children's faces as they unwrapped gifts, fostering a sense of unity and Christmas spirit within the community."

The activity was supported by the PCG Auxiliary 506th Squadron, Alpha Kappa Rho, and civilian donors.

The PCG Sub-Station Pacer also handed out five kilos of rice each to fishermen while conducting seaborne patrol in Placer, Surigao del Norte.

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