By Marie Tonette Marticio
TACLOBAN City - The city government here is promoting proper nutrition and well-being of the people amid the extended the restrictive quarantine implemented to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Instead of canned goods and instant noodles, the city government has been distributing a variety of fresh food such as fish, meat, chicken, and vegetables in its relief operations.
Mayor Alfred Romualdez said they have started their distribution, spearheaded by the City Social Welfare and Development Office and City Disaster Risk Reduction Office, in the northern barangays on April 8 where the food was sourced from local farmers and producers.
"When we talk about relief, it's because they couldn't go out. Some of them lost their jobs because there is no movement in the city. If we do it the correct way by giving them nutritious food, that will help them strengthen their immune system," he noted.
In northern barangays where resettlement areas are located, live chickens are given because according to the mayor, most of them do not have freezers, while some are given fresh fish such as milkfish and tuna.
"We are pushing for fresh food because, after (Supertyphoon) Yolanda, there were many patients with gout cases admitted in the city hospital and we want to avoid that," he explained.
The mayor thanked the farmers and producers for making their produce available for the people of Tacloban, as well as the volunteer groups who help distribute rice and other relief items.
Meanwhile, Romualdez shared that he is closing Magsaysay Boulevard for the public to utilize in their daily exercise.
However, the official maintained that people should still wear face masks and observe social distancing.