By Jel Santos
Over 2, 000 solo parents in Makati City will get P1, 000 financial assistance and food packs from the local government to alleviate their plight during the enhanced community quarantine starting March 28, Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay announced.
(MAKATI LGU / MANILA BULLETIN)
According to her, she ordered the inclusion of solo parents of the city as beneficiaries of financial assistance, along with over 6,800 registered tricycle and jeepney drivers.
“Solo parents also need help from the government during this crisis. We are also providing them financial assistance to augment the resources we have made available initially, such as food packs for those whose children are enrolled in our public schools,” the mayor said in a statement.
Citing the city’s data, Binay said there are 788 registered solo parents in District 1, and 1,261 in District 2, coming from 32 out of the city’s 33 barangays.
The cash assistance and food packs, she said, will be delivered to the homes of the solo parents so they no longer have to go outside.
The city government said they only need to present their Solo Parent ID to the city personnel who will make the deliveries.
Binay urged the recipients and all city residents to stay home, saying the local government of Makati is doing everything to respond to their needs so that they remain safe from the infectious COVID-19 disease.
“We assure you that while you are sleeping, your city government remains awake and hard at work to ensure you will be given the assistance you need to get through this crisis. By staying home and cleaning up, instead of going out and risking exposure to the COVID-19 virus, you are making all our efforts worthwhile,” she said.
On March 16, Makati City was placed under a state of calamity in order for the local government to utilize its quick response fund to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Binay also issued an executive order imposing curfew in the city from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., and ordering the temporary closure of non-essential establishments such as malls and bars.