Manila Mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno Domagoso during his participation in the Panata sa Bayan: The KBP Presidential Candidates Forum. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — In true “Bilis Kilos” fashion, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Thursday started the distribution of a new wave of “ayuda” for the 700,000 families living in the City of Manila who were affected by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly the Omicron variant.
“Napakahalaga ng pagkain sa bawat tao lalo na ‘yung mahihirap nating kababayan na noon ngang wala pang pandemya hirap na ang buhay nila, eh mano pa nung dumating sa ’ting pandemya? Talagang nagiging patung-patong ang nagiging problema ng tao sa pangkalahatan. Lalo ngayon, si Vice Mayor noong nakita namin ‘yung nangyari nung first week of January surge, no? Dahil sa may mga datos noong nagdaang panahon, ang unang epektong naisip namin, marami na namang mawawalan ng trabaho dahil sa surge ng Omicron,” Moreno told reporters at the San Andres Sports Complex where thousands of food boxes are currently stored.
According to the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate, the food boxes which are set to be given to Manila families residing in the city’s six districts, is included in the city government’s Food Security Program or FSP. Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who is the presiding officer of the Manila City Council made sure to swiftly pass the ordinance that will finance the FSP.
Moreno said it’s important for the City government to provide food to its residents especially those whose work and livelihood were greatly affected by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases with the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
“So, ang epekto nito ilang linggo pagkatapos, mauubos na naman ang ipon ng mga tao, magugutom na naman. Kaya kami, sa maliit naming kaparaan ni Vice Mayor at ng inyong pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila, ‘yung maibsan man lamang ‘yung nararamdaman ng ating mga kababayan ng pagka-gutom,” Moreno said.
Asked if he can replicate the handing out of food boxes to all families in the country if he wins in the May 9 elections, Moreno insisted that everything is possible if one will work hard to achieve one’s goal.
“Katulad ng sinabi ng teacher ko noong elementary, pagka gusto, maraming paraan. Kung nagawa sa Maynila, katulad namin, limited naman ang pera namin pero it’s a matter of priority. Pag nagawa sa Maynila, kayang gawin sa buong bansa. Eh sinabi ko na itatawid natin ‘yung mga kababayan nating Pilipino at magkakaron ng tuluy-tuloy na ayuda buwan-buwan kapag pinalad tayo sa awa ng Dios, sapagkat nasa loob tayo ng pandemya,” Moreno said.
The handing out of Ayuda (cash and food assistance) to Filipino families affected by the Covid-19 is spelled out in Moreno’s 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda, specifically under Labor and Employment, that will be his administration’s “North Star” to accelerate human and economic growth.
“Tingin ko naman, kahit papano, maiibsan natin ang pagka-gutom o tag-gutom ng tao. Eh mas mahirap yung gutom. Alam mo naranasan ko ‘yung mahapdi ang tiyan. Nakakasira ng ulo talaga pagka gutom ka. Ayoko naman mangyari ‘yon sa kababayan natin,” Moreno said.
“Pangalawa, tulong na rin namin ito sa mga mangingisda, tulong na rin namin ito sa mga magkakarne at tulong na rin namin ito sa magsasaka kasi ‘yung mga produktong pinabibili natin, katulad na rin ng naipangako ko na ang bibilhin natin mga produktong pagkain ay ‘yung mga produkto ng mga magsasakang Pilipino. So, natulungan mo na, nabili mo na ‘yung produkto ng agrikulturang Pilipino, tapos nakakain pa, Pilipino rin. So, ang gusto natin maitawid lang ‘yung taumbayan,” he pointed out.
Moreno previously stated that from P300 billion which has been allocated by government for ayuda, he will double it to P600 billion if he becomes president
“There is about P300B appropriation for ayuda, gagawin kong P600 billion ‘yon. Kakain ang tao. Kung ano ang ginawa natin sa food box ‘yung ayuda sa Maynila, it can happen to the entire country,” Moreno said during the Jan. 31 launching of his 10-Point Economic Agenda.
In the same interview, Moreno said his work as city mayor will not be hampered despite his going around the country to campaign along with his fellow Aksyon Demokratiko candidates led by vice-presidential candidate Dr. Willie Ong and senatorial bets Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison.
Moreno maintained that Vice Mayor Lacuna is always ready to assist the mayor in providing public service to city residents.
“Eto, tingnan mo ngayon, magaling ‘tong vice mayor ko. Battle-tested ‘to. Eh basta tayo, importante sa’tin, mauna muna ‘yung katayuan ng tao, bago ‘yung kampanya ko,” Moreno said.
“’Yung kampanya ko, ipinagpapasa-Dios ko na ‘yan. Gagampanan ko ‘yung aking mga obligasyon bilang kandidato, pero mas mahalaga sa’kin gampanan ‘yung obligasyon ko na maitawid natin ‘yung hirap na dinaranas ng tao, na walang magutom, na magkaroon ng hanapbuhay. Na sila magkaroon ng kapanatagan ang tao na ligtas ang buhay at may kabuhayan. ‘Yun ang talagang pangarap ko sa bawat isa,” he said.
After his inspection the food boxes at the San Andres Sports Complex, Moreno proceeded to Santa Maria, Laguna where they are scheduled to campaign and hold a motorcade and town hall meetings.
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