To encourage drivers, market vendors, and other workers to take the COVID-19 test, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced that the local government would shoulder their family’s food if they test positive for the virus.
The mayor announced this on his Facebook Live on Tuesday, in connection with the city’s ongoing mass swab testing amid the city’s ongoing economic opening.
According to Moreno, he understands the concerns of some who are hesitant to take a swab test because they fear that their family will have nothing to eat when they are subjected to isolation or quarantine for 14 days.
“Sa mga tricycle drivers, e-trike drivers, jeepney drivers, bus drivers, pedicab drivers, sa lahat ng manininda namin na vendor sa pampublikong palengke at lahat ng mga empleyado ng malls sa Manila, ‘wag na po kayong mangamba,” Mayor Isko said.
(To tricycle drivers, e-trike drivers, jeepney drivers, bus drivers, pedicab drivers, to all our vendors in the public market and all the employees of malls in Manila, don’t worry.)
“Katulad ng kompromiso ko sa inyo, pipilitin nating yakapin hangga’t kaya nating yakapin. Pipilitin nating maibsan ang agam-agam o pangamba na baka magutom ang inyong pamilya,” he added.
Mayor Isko to provide food for families of COVID-positive workers
(As I compromise with you, we will try to embrace as much as we can. We will try to allay any doubts or fears that your family may be hungry.)
Among those eligible to receive such food aid are public market vendors, mall and supermarket employees, hotel staffers, restaurant workers, e-trike, pedicab, tricycle, jeepney, and bus drivers.
He said the local government would provide a sack of rice and grocery items if the worker tests positive for the COVID-19 test.
Mayor Isko also explained the importance of testing to ensure that the worker, his family, is safe and the people they serve.
Manila began free RT-PCR testing on some workers this September.
As of October 20, the Department of Health reported the total number of COVID-19 cases at 360,775. Of the confirmed cases, 43,443 (12.0%) are active cases, 310,642 (86.1%) have recovered and 6,690 (1.9%) have died.