Manila distributes new aid to 700,000 families hit by pandemic

The Manila City government on Thursday distributed aid to around 700,000 families who were affected by the recent COVID-19 surge driven by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

In a statement, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno said the food boxes are included in the local government’s Food Security Program (FSP).

The food boxes are stored at the San Andres Sports Complex.

“Napakahalaga ng pagkain sa bawat tao lalo na ‘yung mahihirap nating kababayan na noon ngang wala pang pandemya hirap na ang buhay nila, eh mano pa nung dumating sa ’ting pandemya? Talagang nagiging patung-patong ang nagiging problema ng tao sa pangkalahatan,” he said.

(Food is important for every person, especially our poor countrymen who were already living difficult lives before the pandemic. What more during the pandemic? Their problems really piled up.)

According to Moreno, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna moved swiftly to pass the ordinance that will finance the FSP. Lacuna is the presiding officer of the Manila City Council.

The mayor and presidential aspirant also stressed the importance of the local government to provide aid to its residents.

When asked if he can replicate the distribution of aid nationwide should he win the presidency, Moreno said everything is possible through hard work.—LDF, GMA News