Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Manila will distribute milk supplements to over 120,000 senior citizens in the city as part of its relief efforts in view of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, a total of 120,886 senior citizens will receive a can containing 400 grams of milk formula for people with advanced age starting on Monday.
“Ang City of Manila ay bumili ng gatas at ito po ang nakita naming na isang masustansyang gatas o supplement na maaari namin, man lang maibigay sa inyo pandagdag sa proteksyon sa inyong kalusugan,” he said in a statement.
(The City of Manila has bought this milk because we found out it is a nutritious supplement that we can give you to add protection to your health.)
He added this initiative was made as studies showed that the elderly are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
According to the mayor, the local government has purchased 150,000 milk cans to guarantee that all senior citizens living in the capital city will receive one can of the product.
“Kung meron man na hindi mabibigyan na senior citzen na nasa loob ng Maynila, nakatira sa Maynila, nakarehistro sa Maynila, dapat magkaroon ng isang lata ng gatas (If there are senior citizens inside Manila, living in Manila, and are registered in Manila but have not received it, they should be given a can of milk each),” said Moreno.
The milk cans will be handed over to barangay officials, who will then be the ones to distribute it to the seniors.
Moreno said the provision of milk supplements was the second wave of assistance provided by the Manila City government to its resident senior citizens, next to the “accelerated” distribution of P1,500 cash pension for every registered elderly in the city.
More than 64,000 senior citizens in the city have already benefited from the financial assistance of the local government, added the mayor.