Manila LGU to provide monthly food subsidy to 700,000 families amid pandemic

The Manila city government unit launched a program that will provide a monthly food subsidy to more or less 700,000 families to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, its public information office (PIO) said on Wednesday.

In a Facebook post, the Manila PIO said the COVID-19 Food Security Program will provide a food subsidy that includes three kilos of rice, 16 pieces of canned goods, and eight sachets of coffee.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said some projects will be set aside to respond to the issue of hunger in the city brought by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"May mga bagay na hindi na muna natin tutugunan pero ito'y iyong mga bagay na sa tingin kong makapaghihintay dahil naniniwala ako na ang tao ay may kumakalam na sikmura, ang kalsada'y wala. Uunahin na muna natin ang tao sa lungsod ng Maynila," he added.

Around P3 billion has been allocated for the program.

Moreno assured his constituents that the city’s housing projects will continue despite the pandemic.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 10, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Manila has reached 26,964.

Of this number, 25,803 have recovered, 789 died, while 372 are still active cases.

—Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News