MANILA, Philippines — Residents of Makati City are set to receive grocery vouchers worth P500, the local government said Wednesday, as part of efforts to help inhabitants affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine amid the COVID-19 crisis.
In a statement, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said the local government has partnered with Puregold, which will provide the grocery vouchers with a total value of P50 million.
“We are aware that everyone, even those belonging to the lower and upper-middle-class, is affected by the crisis,” Binay said. “This is why condominium-dwellers, whether they are students or employees, will be among our priority recipients for the grocery vouchers.”
“We are already finalizing the mechanics and guidelines on the distribution of the grocery vouchers,” she added. “This is but one of several forms of assistance that we have decided to pursue to optimize available resources for the benefit of all Makatizens.”
Luzon will remain on lockdown until April 30 as confirmed cases of new coronavirus infection continue to rise. As of Wednesday, the Philippines has 5,453 people positive for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Of the number, 349 died from the highly contagious respiratory illness while 353 managed to recover.
Makati City accounts for the 306 confirmed COVID-19 virus infection.