'One-man mobile palengke' walks from Novaliches to provide food to Makati residents

"One man mobile palengke."

This is how Makati resident Mimi Santos described Manong Dodong, a fruit and vegetable vendor who sells in their compound.

^{Photo by Mimi Santos}

Since Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine and mobility was restricted, Manong Dodong has only been able to visit Mimi's area twice.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Mimi said Manong Dodong lives in Novaliches, Quezon City but buys his supplies in Divisoria, Manila City. Then, he drops by Backwell in Makati City, among other places, to sell his goods.

He does all these on foot, painstakingly pushing his cart full of fruits and veggies.

Thankfully, Manong Dodong was allowed to pass through checkpoints because he sells food.

Mimi expressed appreciation for Manong Dodong because she fears that the wet market would have big crowds.

She also appreciated that he still sells his goods at an affordable cost.

"Binigyan ko siya ng alcohol kapalit ng pagdadala sa aming compund sa Backwell ng mga gulay. Considering na ang layo ng pinanggalingan nya, mura pa rin niya binibenta ang mga kalakal nya. Bukas babalik sya para dalan kami ng saging at kalamansi at iba pa," Mimi said.

Luzon has been under enhanced community quarantine as of March 17 to contain the spread of COVID-19.

As of Tuesday, the Philippines has reported 552 COVID-19 cases. The number of fatalities also rose to 35 while the total number of recoveries climbed to 20.

Meanwhile, 704 people have tested negative for the disease.

—JCB, GMA News