46K Bulacan families get 12th wave of ‘ayuda’

THE local government of Pandi, Bulacan, on Saturday distributed ayuda (assistance) to over 46,000 families under its “Silya Mo Ilabas Mo, Heto Na Ulit Ayuda Mo” program.

According to Mayor Enrico Roque, this is the 12th wave of their aid distribution to those affected by the global pandemic since the enhanced community quarantine imposed in March 2020 to contain the spread of Covid-19.

On Day 1 of the distribution, 8,800 families from Barangay Bagong Barrio, Masuso, Cupang and Bagbaguin were the first to receive food packs from the local government led by Roque, Sangguniang Bayan, Association of Barangay Captains, Municipal Social Welfare Development Office and the Philippine National Police with help from mother volunteers from Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Kababaihan.

It was learned that only the town of Pandi was able to distribute aid 12 times under the said program. Pandi also was the first to achieve herd immunity against Covid-19.

Roque was assisted by his brother Ricky Roque, a philanthropist and former municipal councilor.

The 8-day relief distribution will last until February 12 for 22 villages where each food pack contains rice, corned beef, coffee sachets, tuna, meatloaf, noodles and milk.

Roque assured that standard health protocols were strictly complied with during the relief distribution.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has placed the National Capital Region and seven other provinces including Bulacan under the less stringent Alert Level 2 on February 1 to February 15.