Manila (12 December) -- To provide the poor with more affordable food and services, especially at a time when prices are high, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be distributing "Pamaskong Handog" packages this Christmas season to the poorest provinces in the country, the Office of Cabinet Secretary Ricardo L. Saludo said yesterday.

Starting Dec. 13, the President and some of the Cabinet members shall be going to the provinces to give away Christmas packages consisting of rice and other food items and distribute coupons in exchange for some goods at Tindahan Natin outlets.

Also part of the President's "Pamaskong Handog" are rural electrification projects in unenergized barangays and water provision for waterless barangays, among others.

The areas initially identified during today's National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC)-Cabinet Group meeting are: Masbate, Camarines Norte, Mountain Province, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island, Sarangani, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Kalinga, Abra, Marinduque, Romblon, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Sultan Kudarat, Samar, Biliran, Antique, Palawan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Davao del Norte.