© Provided by The Manila Times

DAVAO CITY: The Davao City government is rolling out a food rationing program for 50,000 families whose livelihood has been affected by the restrictive measures adopted to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

The food rationing will start from March 23 to 27, 2020 to Dabawenyos who are indigents and out of work, “no work, no pay” workers, self-employed, and out of work due to the slowing down of businesses in the city.

To avail of the relief goods, ration cards are distributed through the City Social Services and Development Office and the barangay (village) officials.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, however, reminded Dabawenyos availing of the relief goods to observe social distancing. She said a system was in place to ensure the smooth process of distribution.

Duterte-Carpio said barangay captains distributing the ration cards would be monitored by team leaders led by her sibling, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, and city councilors to ensure the proper implementation of the rationing, management of barangay issues and observation of social distancing.

The mayor also called on the private sector to coordinate and turn over the relief goods to the city government for proper distribution.

“Ginabawal namo ang private sector sa paghatag og mga relief goods directly sa mga tao (We are prohibiting the private sector from giving relief goods directly to the people) because this will create chaos, this will be disorganized and this will cause people to mass gather,” she said.