Mayor Isko Moreno in his live broadcast tells the people they can ask about the vaccine brand at the vaccination site. Photo by JERRY S. TAN
Isko prioritizes food for Manilans over roadworks amid pandemic
“KUNG kayo ay makakaramdam ng lubak sa hinaharap, pagpasensiyahan n’yo na po.”
This was the appeal made by Mayor Isko Moreno to Manilans and even those just traversing the city in their day-to-day activities, saying the local government continues to direct its resources to more pressing needs of the residents in the wake of the continuing pandemic.
“Wag n’yo sana ko bigyan post na lubak-lubak ang kalye… pagpapasensiyahan n’yo ko ha, talagang makakaapekto ang ginawa natin sa kalsada,” he said.
Moreno added: “Baka makarandam kayo ng lubak bigla-bigla maalala ninyo ang pangalan ko… langya naman ‘tong si yorme, di man lang ayusin ‘tong kalsadang lubak. Diyos ko po. Hindi pa nangyayari, ako na po ang nahingi ng paumanhin.”
The mayor said he decided to set aside certain infrastructure projects and instead prioritize feeding the residents in consideration of the fact that countless have lost their jobs and businesses due to the pandemic and this was fully supported by Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, whose role as presiding officer of the Manila City Council paved the way for the realignment of the city funds.
“Ang kakayanan ng gobyerno ay ating diniretso sa pagbibigay ng importansiya sa pagkain ng bawat pamilyang Manilenyo. Tao muna bago kalsada, dahil ako ay naniniwala na lahat, pagdating ng alas-12 ng tanghali at alas-7 ng gabi, kakain,” Moreno stressed.
Citing data, the mayor said that many more are expected to go hungry as the pandemic stretches and the need for the imposition of quarantine continues in order to stem the transmission of COVID-19.
“Sa hirap ng buhay, ang dami nang gutom. Pati mga survey, sinasabing marami magugutom at ayokong may magutom sa Maynila,” Moreno said, adding this is the reason why he, with the support of Lacuna, decided to embark on a food security program (FSP) under which some 700,000 families get food boxes every month.
Each food box contains food items including rice and canned goods, so as to aid the families in their food expenses.
Moreno said that residents or those using the streets of Manila may experience potholes and get the ‘moonwalk’ feeling in the process, but assured that this will not be for long.
According to him, he does not regret prioritizing food for Manilans instead of roads, stressing the streets have no stomachs that would go hungry unlike the residents.
The FSP wherein food boxes are delivered to the residents on a monthly basis, began in February and based on budget allocation, it will be done at least until July.
