Mayors distribute food aid to poor families for 14-day ECQ

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Food assistance to the poorest of the poor in their respective localities were distributed by local chief executives to help them get by during the 14-day Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) which starts today, March 30, 2020.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia ordered the ECQ starting March 30 to April 14.

Leonardia said initial food assistance to 40,000 families was prepared by the city government. This is already part of the P30 million the city has allocated to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

He also said that the financial resources of the city will be fully utilized to address the needs of the people during the 14 -day ECQ.

The foodstuff will be delivered to the houses of the recipients to avoid crowding as part of the strict observance of physical distancing.

La Castellana town Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan said that the municipal government has already distributed financial assistance to the barangays so they can acquire foodstuff for their constituents.

Mangilimutan said that starting Monday, the town will not allow outsiders to go inside the town until the ECQ is over

She said trade will be conducted in the town borders like Canlaon City for vegetables town and Pontevedra for fish and other sea products.

Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares said the city government has prepared food assistance to identified beneficiaries during the weekend.

The city government will launch the Market-on-Wheels to reduce the number of marketgoers in the Talisay City Public Market.

He said that as suggested by the Barangay Councils, those in the nearby areas can still go to the public market as long as they have their Quarantine Pass with them while far-flung barangays will be given priority in the Market-on-Wheels.

Supplies such as groceries, rice, dried fish, vegetables and possibly, meat products will come from the public market and will be sold at prevailing market price.

Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo said that food assistance for the residents is also ready for distribution.