Aside from the much-awaited “ayuda” (financial aid) from the national government, Mayor Vico Sotto said that the city government of Pasig will provide food packs to residents during the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
“Nagpabili rin tayo ng food packs dahil alam naman natin hindi po sapat, kahit naman ang nasyonal ay inaamin po talagang mayroong hindi po mabibigyan, ginawa po namin, nagpabili po kami ng food packs (We have procured food packs because as we know, as admitted by the national government, the financial aid is not enough, so we bought food packs),” he said during a radio interview on Friday (August 6).
Sotto said the city government will be spending around P90 million for about 260,000 food packs.
“Pati mga nakatanggap ng ayuda ay bibigyan din natin ng food packs (Even those who got ECQ financial aid from the national government will be given food packs from the city government),” he said.
He has appealed for the understanding of Pasig residents for the anticipated delay in the distribution of food packs, adding that the city government does not have enough personnel.
“Hinihingi ko po ang pansenya at pang-unawa ng mga Pasigueño. Hindi po sapat ang bilang ng mga tauhan natin sa siyudad para sa distribution (I am asking for the understanding of our Pasig residents. The city government does not have enough number of employees to quickly distribute the food packs),” the mayor said.
Barangay personnel of Pasig, according to the mayor, are now helping in repacking the food items.
Sotto has also confirmed that the city government has already received over P650 million cash aid from the national government.
However, he said they cannot distribute it yet as they are still waiting for the distribution guidelines of the national government.