Iloilo City prepares for the worst

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the Iloilo City Government is preparing a P291-million fund in response to the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Treñas said that the funds will be used for additional food supplies if ever the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) is extended beyond April 14, 2020.

 

“I met with the Finance Committee today, they are preparing a supplemental budget for rice and canned goods, to foresee kun gaano kalawig ini magdugay. Kun indi magdugay, ara man gihapon sa syudad at least may standby kita,” he said.

 

The mayor issued Executive Order No. 55-2020 placing the city under ECQ from March 20 to April 14, 2020.

 

PLEAS TO BARANGAYS

Treñas has also pleaded to the barangays to make use of their calamity funds although he assured that the Iloilo City Hall is open if they need assistance.

Citing his own calculations, Treñas said the city will have to help more or less 70,000 households who live below the middle class line.

 

“Mga 70,000 plus households ang aton buligan, you must understand nga indi ta gid tanan mahatagan guro. Gapangabay man ko, palihog lang sa tanan nga barangay, may ara man kamo nga calamity funds nga pwede niyo musar. Palihog lang sang subong nga tiempo nga usaron inyo ina. Kun may mga pamangkot man kamo, abierto man di ang City hall, kag makadto kamo dira sa aton City Accountant kag City Budget so that mabal-an ninyo kun ano gid ang pwede,” Treñas said.

 

The mayor assured that there is no politics in the distribution of food aid to those who lost their jobs because of the ECQ.

 

“Wala na ta gapili subong sang kapartido, sang botante sang siyudad, ang subong nga aton, ang tanan nga mabuligan, buligan ta lang.”

 

 

ROADBLOCKS

The mayor also issued Memorandum Order No. 103 directing all Punong Barangays in the city to immediately remove any encroachment or obstacle or illegal constructions on roads, streets, bridges and any access points as well as in all public places.

The order is in keeping with Section 4(s) of Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act of 2020 which prohibits such encroachments or obstacles.

Treñas issued the order after receiving reports that some barangays, in implementing the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Iloilo City, have blocked or closed roads leading to their communities.

 

CASH FOR WORK

The mayor also said that a Cash For Work program is currently being developed by the City Government for the unemployed.

The guidelines will be released this week.

“Ginatan-aw ta initially, P2,500 para sa 20k ka tawo. Gusto ta ang mga tawo nga waay na trabaho nga may kwarta bala, bisan 2,500 lang at least makabakal sila sang mga kinanglan nila. Soon, I think within the week. Mag-2,500 ka sa 20k, that is 50m. Nag-istorya na ko sa [Department of Labor and Employment], may ara kuno sila nga ibulig nga 200k sa tig-4,000, mga 50 ka tawo,” he said.

The Cash For Work program is included in the P21-million budget allocated by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council that is yet to be approved by the Iloilo City Council.

 

 

CALL TO NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Treñas said that he has communicated with Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez to ask for additional assistance to the city.

The mayor also expressed dismay at the Department of Social Welfare and Development for not extending assistance to the city.

“Nag-SOS na ako sa national, kay ti waay pa kita kabaton bisan ano. Nagatan-aw lang ko sa TV, ang ginapanagtag didto sa Manila, iya sang DSWD, lima ka kilo bugas, pila ka delatas, pila ka Purefoods. Kita ya nagatan-aw lang ta, wala pa kita ginabuligan sang DSWD. I hope madumduman man kita sang DSWD nga parte pa kita sang Pilipinas,” the mayor said.

But in a radio interview, DSWD regional public information May Castillo said they have extended more or less 2,000 food packs for the city.