KAUSWAGAN, LANAO DEL NORTE– After barangay quick response funds (QRF) have been depleted from the first wave of relief goods distribution, the local government unit (LGU) here stepped in and started distributing one bag of rice to each household in 13 barangays. The distribution started Wednesday as organized by the office of the Mayor.
Each bag of rice weighs 25 kilograms which may last up to two to three weeks for the average family. The 6,000 bags of rice were procured by the LGU using municipal disaster funds (QRF) and augmented by the Bayanihan grant from the national government. Although the food support were ordered three weeks ago, availability of rice supplies and transportation caused the delays in distribution. The supply arrived in the port of Iligan on Tuesday evening from Viet Nam.
More than 1,950 bags were distributed today in four barangays and the LGU distribution will continue tomorrow and the coming weekend. The local chief executive, Rommel Arnado, oversaw today’s distribution in Bagumbayan ensuring that social distancing is implemented. The mayor called on residents to continue to be cooperative and to endure the sacrifices brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Arnado likewise committed to continue looking after the welfare of his constituents.
“We will continue providing food support to our people and we may do this again after five weeks, if necessary. Very soon, this crisis will come to an end and I ask our people to be strong as we endure these sacrifices,” said Arnado. Further, Arnado added that the LGU is ready to address any concerns of the public.
“Ang gobyerno kanunay nga mag suporta sa katawhan. Kung adunay problema, moduol lang sa LGU ug paningkamutan namo nga masulbad ang inyong problema,” he said.
(The government will always support its people. If there are problems, people may come to the LGU and we shall do our best to resolve our people’s concerns.)
This initiative from the local government received an overwhelming support and positive response from the public. Hadji Razul Baddie, a resident of Tugar, commended the local chief executive and the LGU for providing such support to the people.
“Maraming salamat kay mayor sa aming natanggap at sa inyong lahat na tumulong sa pamimigay,” said Baddie.
(Many thanks to the mayor for what we received today and to all of you who helped in giving support.)
On the other hand, the effort was also widely commended on social media by several netizens. On the Facebook page of the Municipality of Kauswagan, the photos on the distribution have been shared more than 1,740 times and eliciting more than 320 positive comments from netizens coming from different locations across the country.
As of today, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte is yet to announce its action in relation to the general community quarantine.
Governor Imelda “Angging” Dimaporo is yet to make a decision after assessments are completed in the province. The governor met on Wednesday all local chief executives to initiate necessary measures and steps to continuously prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their respective localities.
