Mayor, vice mayor clash over Noche Buena package

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December 6, 2025 | 12:00am

LAGUNA, Philippines — The mayor and vice mayor of San Pablo City in this province are reportedly at odds over the budget for the Noche Buena package that will be distributed to residents.

Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr. said the Sangguniang Panglungsod, led by Vice Mayor Justin Colago, disapproved his request for P45 million to purchase Christmas gifts for residents.

Gapangada said the city council reduced the amount to only P14.9 million, which he said is not enough for 84,000 families.

He criticized the city council including Colago for disapproving his request.

Meanwhile, Colago denied that the disapproval of Gapangada’s requested budget was intentional.

Colago said that only P14.9 million could be used from the general fund.

He said the remaining amount of more than P30 million allocated for the gender and development (GAD)program could not be spent for the distribution of Christmas gifts. 

Colago said the release of the GAD fund follows specific guidelines. He said the purpose for the use of the GAD fund must be clearly stated, and that the giving of Christmas gifts was not among them.

Gapangada reportedly insisted that the GAD fund could be used for the gift-giving, and that the council’s objection was politically motivated.

Due to the reduced budget, not all households in San Pablo may receive the Noche Buena package and only indigent families will be prioritized.