Manila gov’t rushes aid distribution for 140k families ahead of Tondo lockdown

The city government of Manila is rushing to distribute food packs and P8,000 in cash aid to some 140,000 families before Tondo is locked down on Sunday, May 3.

According to a 24 Oras report by Chino Gaston on Thursday, local authorities have fast-tracked repacking efforts for the distribution of relief goods to barangay centers.

“Mamaya po, magtatawag po ulit tayo ng ating mga volunteers para mag-repack naman nang mai-distribute agad agad natin sa mga pamilya rito,” Barangay 118 councilor Christopher San Ramon said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development and their local counterparts have also extended working hours to distribute the cash subsidy to beneficiaries.

“Sa ngayon po, talagang pipilitin namin kahit gabi na talagang pinipilit namin na mai-distribute na po talaga ‘tong assistance sa kanila,” Ruby Buhain from the city social welfare and development office said.

Meanwhile, some Tondo residents were seen lined up at the grocery store to stock up on food and supplies.

Tondo will be locked down from 5 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, until 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, as parts of efforts to curb coronavirus transmission.

Around 800 suspected COVID-19 cases will be exempted from the lockdown in order to undergo testing.

The four schools that will serve as COVID-19 testing centers amid the lockdown are the Rosauro Almario Elementary School, Jose Rizal Elementary School, T. Paez Integrated School, and Tondo High School

“It was designed that way so that on a particular community, malapit lang sa kanila ‘yung testing site,” Mayor Isko Moreno said.

Manila City has recorded 669 COVID-19 cases with 90 recoveries and 61 deaths as of Wednesday afternoon. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News