Let's focus on helping each other - Mayor Vico
Published Apr 2, 2020 12:00 am
By Jhon Casinas
Pasig City will continue with its efforts to address the needs of Pasigueños, Mayor Vico Sotto said, as the city races to help its residents affected by the health crisis caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The local chief executive made the statement after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) asked him to explain his possible violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
The city mayor also told Pasigueños not to mind the issues being hurled against him and instead focus on helping each other to overcome the crisis caused by COVID-19.
“Ang mahalaga, tuloy ang trabaho (What’s important is, our efforts will continue),” he said in a Facebook post Wednesday night.
“Focus tayo. Mula barangay hanggang nasyonal, magtulungan lang po tayo. Malalagpasan din natin ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19 (Let us focus. From the barangay to the national level, let us help each other. We will overcome the crisis caused by COVID-19),” he added.
In a Twitter post, Sotto said that the NBI was asking for an "explanation on the alleged violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (e.g. continuous tricycle operation).”
“We complied with all directives. Hindi po illegal magbigay ng opinyon (It is not illegal to give an opinion),” he said.
He also questioned the NBI if it knows that the measure was passed into law on March 24.
On March 17, Sotto temporarily allowed the limited operation of tricycles in Pasig, explaining that the free rides offered by the local government would not be enough to ferry health workers as well those working in essential services.
On March 18, Sotto wrote in a post that he "prays for the national government not to cease the operation of tricycles in the city, as their suspension would compromise the public health situation."
On March 19, Sotto said he would comply with the directive of the national government and suspend the operations of tricycles in Pasig.
This, after the Palace and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) rejected his proposal for the limited operation of three-wheeled vehicles, noting that it would defeat the quarantine imposed by the national government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We are not arguing with them, we just expressed our opinion based on our analysis and experience on the ground,” he said.
Sotto said the distribution of food packs to city residents is ongoing, as well as the distribution of assistance to various sectors in Pasig.
He also announced that cash assistance given to public utility vehicle drivers in Pasig has been increased to P4,000.
He recently bared that public transport drivers affected by the enhanced community quarantine will be given cash assistance amounting to P3,000.
“Malapit na rin dumating ang tulong pinansyal sa mahigit 100K pamilya sa tulong ng nasyonal na pamahalaan (Cash assistance for over 100,000 families will also arrive soon, with the help of the national government),” Sotto said.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The local chief executive made the statement after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) asked him to explain his possible violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
The city mayor also told Pasigueños not to mind the issues being hurled against him and instead focus on helping each other to overcome the crisis caused by COVID-19.
“Ang mahalaga, tuloy ang trabaho (What’s important is, our efforts will continue),” he said in a Facebook post Wednesday night.
“Focus tayo. Mula barangay hanggang nasyonal, magtulungan lang po tayo. Malalagpasan din natin ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19 (Let us focus. From the barangay to the national level, let us help each other. We will overcome the crisis caused by COVID-19),” he added.
In a Twitter post, Sotto said that the NBI was asking for an "explanation on the alleged violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (e.g. continuous tricycle operation).”
“We complied with all directives. Hindi po illegal magbigay ng opinyon (It is not illegal to give an opinion),” he said.
He also questioned the NBI if it knows that the measure was passed into law on March 24.
On March 17, Sotto temporarily allowed the limited operation of tricycles in Pasig, explaining that the free rides offered by the local government would not be enough to ferry health workers as well those working in essential services.
On March 18, Sotto wrote in a post that he "prays for the national government not to cease the operation of tricycles in the city, as their suspension would compromise the public health situation."
On March 19, Sotto said he would comply with the directive of the national government and suspend the operations of tricycles in Pasig.
This, after the Palace and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) rejected his proposal for the limited operation of three-wheeled vehicles, noting that it would defeat the quarantine imposed by the national government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We are not arguing with them, we just expressed our opinion based on our analysis and experience on the ground,” he said.
Sotto said the distribution of food packs to city residents is ongoing, as well as the distribution of assistance to various sectors in Pasig.
He also announced that cash assistance given to public utility vehicle drivers in Pasig has been increased to P4,000.
He recently bared that public transport drivers affected by the enhanced community quarantine will be given cash assistance amounting to P3,000.
“Malapit na rin dumating ang tulong pinansyal sa mahigit 100K pamilya sa tulong ng nasyonal na pamahalaan (Cash assistance for over 100,000 families will also arrive soon, with the help of the national government),” Sotto said.