By Raymund Antonio
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday advised local government units (LGUs) to find “creative” ways in the delivery of basic goods to their constituents in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Vice President Leni Robredo
(OVP / MANILA BULLETIN)
The so-called “Kopyahan (copying)” between the city government of Pasig and Valenzuela on the mobile market caught the attention of Robredo who said her hometown of Naga City also followed suit.
“Maging halimbawa sana na kopyahin ng iba (May this serve as an example that can be copied by others),” Robredo said on her weekly radio show, “BISErbisyong Leni.”
“In Naga City, the mobile market going to every street m started the other day,” the former Camarines Sur representative noted.
Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian adopted Pasig City’s “mobile palengke (market)” initiated by Mayor Vico Sotto and launched the city’s “market on wheels.”
Both cities have implemented their own alternative mobile market programs for food and other essential goods without risking COVID-19 infection in crowded places like the public markets.
The vice president asked LGUs to go house to house to deliver relief goods for affected residents as a way to encourage them to stay home.
“Iyong sana pakiusap natin huwag ng papilahin ang mga tao. Dalhin na lang sa bahay-bahay. Ihatid na lang para hindi nagkakaroon ng dahilan para lumabas pa ng bahay,” she said.
(Our appeal is not to allow people to line up. The goods should just be brought to their homes. These should delivered so they have no reason to go out.)
Robredo made the suggestion to the local governments after the distribution of relief goods in some cities in Metro Manila resulted to big crowds during the Luzon-wide enhance community quarantine.
The vice president said the efforts of LGUs to bring food to residents’ homes will ensure social distancing, an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in communities.