The Pasig City Government, led by Mayor Vico Sotto, has kicked off its annual "Pamaskong Handog" Christmas gift-giving program with a unique initiative: a "Long Test No. 1" distributed on November 22, 2025. This unconventional approach—framed as a pop quiz for residents—serves not only as an internal mechanism but also as a way to reinforce the program’s core principles of equity, reform, and innovation.

The "test," shared via the city's official channels, challenges Pasigueños to recall the three main reasons behind the city's house-to-house distribution of the "Pamaskong Handog" gift packs, a practice that has become a defining characteristic of the Sotto administration.




The Three Pillars of "Pamaskong Handog"

The quiz provided blanks and true-or-false questions to test the public's knowledge of the program's objectives.

Part I centered on the humanitarian goal, stating: "Una, gusto nating magbigay ng kasiyahan sa bawat pamilyang Pasigueño (First, we want to bring joy to every Pasigueño family)."


Part II highlighted the program's significance as a symbol of anti-corruption and equal governance: "Pangalawa, ito ay isang patunay, o simbolo, ng pagbabago, lalo na sa pagkakabasag ng palakasan system (Second, it is proof, or a symbol, of change, especially in breaking the patronage system)." The correct answer for the True or False section is True, reinforcing the city’s commitment to distributing aid equitably, regardless of political affiliation.

Part III focused on the use of the distribution as a technical exercise: "Pangatlo, nagiging testing ground ito ng iba't ibang innovation ng LGU..." The correct multiple-choice answer was (a) PasigPacs, referring to the city’s integrated systems.''




A Stronger Database for Better Governance

The most significant portion of the quiz was the Bonus Question, which focused on the integration of the PasigPass database with the PhilSys/National ID system to ensure data cleanliness and improved services.



The city government invited residents to provide suggestions on how a strengthened PasigPass database could help enhance LGU services, citing the example: “If it becomes harder to create a fake account, leakages in programs like the Pamaskong Handog will also be reduced.”



ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN PASIG

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This move signals the city’s proactive step toward using digital identity and data verification to increase the efficiency and integrity of its social services, ensuring that benefits reach only legitimate residents and streamlining future aid distribution efforts.

The house-to-house delivery of the "Pamaskong Handog" packages is set to commence in the coming days, continuing its tradition of transparency and equitable service delivery this Christmas season.