KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston East and Port Royal Phillip Paulwell has expressed that his favourite part of the Yuletide season is time spent giving back to the elderly in his constituency.

Speaking at the second of two treats hosted in his division, Paulwell disclosed that every year, atleast 500 elderly people are treated to a special Christmas dinner. This year, the MP announced that in addition to the specially prepared meals, every elderly member in his constituency will receive a gift basket with much-needed food items.

“Every year over 500 of our senior citizens across both divisions are feted. We provide them with a meal, a Christmas dinner and then we have special prizes,” he said. “It’s very important so that on Christmas Day they can have a proper dinner. I will be presenting them with a basket of food items; oil, rice, flour, sugar but very importantly, we are going to be providing everyone with a chicken. I think people want to feel the Christmas spirit and I believe that a proper meal for them is important.”

Admitting that the cost of living in Jamaica has increased, Paulwell said the elderly are among the most affected and as MP, he wanted to make their season cheerful.

“It has been a very difficult year for our people. The fact of the matter is that the cost of living has increased and they are feeling it the most because many of them are on sick pensions, many of them are relying on their family overseas for assistance,” he said. “Many of them when they go to public institutions like the hospitals the service is not up to par, not because of the hospital administration and the workers there but because there is need for greater governmental support.”

To that end, Paulwell says he’s hoping that for 2024, the government will extend greater benefits towards the elderly.