By Ali Macabalang COTABATO CITY – Residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will be receiving relief packs to cushion the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, according to the region’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). (Lanao del Sur’s Task Force on COVID-19 / MANILA BULLETIN) The IATF of Lanao del Sur, a component of BARMM, said it has tapped dozens of social welfare workers and volunteers to pack substantial volumes of relief foods and household needs for distribution this week in identified households in 39 constituent-towns. Provincial IATF spokesman Zia Alonto-Adiong, a member also of the interim BARMM parliament, said they intended to distribute the relief packages on a house-to-house basis to avoid gathering crowds, and preserve social distancing. At a press briefing here on Monday, Regional IATF spokesperson Mohammad Pendatun said the BARMM’s Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) has initially downloaded P7.2-million to component provincial LGUs. From the initial fund, the MSSD earmarked food packs containing 25 kilos of rice, 10 pieces of noodles, seven cans of corned beef, seven cans of tuna, two cans of sardines, and 3-in-1 coffee. “This is just initial step in our intent to provide all (BARMM constituent families), especially those in dire of food supplies or adversely affected in restrained movements amid lockdowns,” Pendatun said. The Office of Regional Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim was also preparing financial assistance for workers in the region pursuant to the Department of Labor and Employment’s Advisory No. 12 entitling each worker to P5,000 cash assistance nationwide, regardless of status, he said. Apart from the 5,000-peso cash aid, the BARMM government will also provide food packs for all workers and employees in the region, Pendatun added. At Monday’s press briefing, BARMM’s Health Minister Saffrullah Dipatuan said his ministry will also download P2-million to every rural health units (RHUs) in the region to ensure their sufficiency of medical supplies and equipment. “Hindi pwedeng mawalan ng supplies tulad ng mga gamot ang mga RHUs natin. We will download the additional fund as soon as possible,” Dipatuan said. Dipatuan also echoed Ebrahim’s advocacy that all medical expenses of COVID-19 patients in the region will be covered by the BARMM’s “Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro’ or AMBAG program in accredited and partner hospitals.