San Fernando mayor Robert Parris hosted a Christmas Day luncheon at the San Fernando City Corporation’s (SFCC) auditorium on Harris Promenade, as part of an initiative aimed at bringing cheer for what he described as a challenging year for many families.

He said the event was organised in response to growing unemployment, which he attributed in part to the government’s decision to close make-work programmes like Cepep, URP, and reforestation.

“I thought it would be a good gesture because this year was a difficult one,” Parris said.