Families in ‘poorest’ villages get aid from Iloilo PNP

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Families who are deemed economically vulnerable received additional food assistance from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

These families are residents of the 43 “poorest” barangays in Iloilo province.

Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo police chief, said the IPPO adopted these poor families in a bid to mitigate the impact of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which had been extended until April 30.

“The IPPO would like to help the poor families survive the odds brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lucas said.

It was gathered that the 42 municipality and one component city police stations picked the poorest barangay in their respective localities as the target of the initiative.

The identification of the poorest barangays was done in coordination with the respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer.

The adopt-a-barangay is the initiative of all police stations in coordination with their respective local government units.

“Our personnel wish to extend support to help augment the food provision of poor families from identified barangay-beneficiaries,” Lucas said.

For Iloilo police personnel, they shared their resources to the need while staying firm on their commitment to carry out their mission by taking the front line in the fight against COVID-19.

For Lucas, what they gave was not much. “But we wish that we made feel that we are with them in this fight. We would like to share something in the hope that our humble support can help ease the burden of poor families who are the most badly affected by the ECQ,” the Iloilo top cop said.

Meanwhile, Lucas also reiterated the call to everyone to cooperate, as the Iloilo PNP carries its mandate to ensure the peaceful and successful lockdown.

“More importantly, please stay at home,” he said.