Catbalogan, Samar giving P1,000 cash aid to at least 32,000 families affected by COVID-19

TACLOBAN CITY –– The city government of Catbalogan in Samar is providing P1,000 cash assistance to each of the more than 32,000 families that were affected by the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Mayor Dexter Uy said the city government has allocated P32.8 million for this purpose.

The cash distribution started last Thursday, Sept. 3, and will end on Sept. 15.

Uy reminded the beneficiaries of the P1,000 cash assistance to wear face masks and face shields, bring their ball pens and alcohol to disinfect the money upon receiving it.

“We would like to remind our Catbaloganons that this is just a financial aid as we continue to fight COVID-19. This is not the solution, that is why, don’t forget to follow the health protocols,” the city mayor said.

Uy placed Catbalogan City under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to its rising number of COVID-19 cases.

The mayor himself and his sister, Councilor Stephany Uy-Tan, have contracted the virus in the past weeks.

As of Friday, the city has 452 COVID-19 cases.

The regional office of the Department of Health on Thursday reported that the region has 90 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the region to 3,249.

Of the new cases, Samar province posted the highest number of cases with 39 followed by Leyte province, 26; Northern Samar, 24; and Southern Leyte, one.

LZB