Zambo rolls out food aid for poor families

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The local government has started rolling out Tuesday supplementary food aid to residents,particularly the poor, in different areas, Mayor Beng Climaco said.

A house is marked after its owner received food aid from the local government of Zamboanga City. (Mario Silva)

She said the relief assistance will initially cover 5 barangays and distributed house to house to ensure it will go straight to the beneficiaries.

“The target beneficiaries are the vulnerable and families below the poverty threshold as identified by the barangays and validated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office,” said Climaco, who is closely supervising the repacking and distribution of food aid to poor families.

Climaco said the relief assistance of the local government will supplement the efforts of the barangay chieftains in providing food aid to their constituents.

Mayor Beng Climaco leads in the distribution of personal protective equipment, rice and other necessities to barangay leaders and health workers to aid them in the enforcement of a strict enhanced community quarantine. (Bong Serondo)

She also regularly visits checkpoints around Zamboanga and distribute personal protective equipment- face masks, face shields, alcohol, megaphones, vests, long sleeves, whistles,raincoats and rice, among others - to health workers in different barangays to aid them in the strict implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.

Mayor Beng Climaco, accompanied by Executive Assistant Mike Saavedra, regularly visit checkpoint around Zamboanga. 

She reminded barangay officials to do their duties religiously and serve their constituents. Zamboanga has 98 barangays. But many villagers complained that they have not receive any food aid from their barangay leaders. 

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has repeatedly warned barangay officials not to “politicize” the distribution of relief goods to the poor.

“We have received reports that some barangays are selective in their distribution of relief goods, requiring the presentation of voter’s IDs or prioritizing their friends and relatives. Wala pong politika sa panahon ngsakuna. Matagal pa ang eleksyon. Serbisyo muna,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said, adding, he will not hesitate to file charges against barangay officials injecting politics into relief distribution. (Zamboanga Post)

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