Davao City extends help to 25K workers affected by pandemic

Over 25,000 workers of offices and business establishments and vendors affected by the lockdowns and movement restrictions since the past months continue to receive food ration from the Davao City government as of July 17, 2020.

Since the start of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) on May 26, 2020, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) catered to a total of 25,208 workers of affected offices and business establishments allowed only to open in a limited capacity.

Maria Luisa Bermudo, the head of CSWDO said that her office served 21,385 workers or employees from 917 establishments, 3,172 from 60 groups or associations, and 651 Roxas Night Market vendors.

Around 17,427 of them already received their second batch of ration which was rolled out from June 17 to July 17, 2020.

Bermudo added that the city government will continue the food distribution until there are establishments that are still not allowed to operate in full capacity.

“Affected gihapon sila sa ilang adlaw adlaw na panginabuhian. Meaning to say, dili pa fully operational ang ilahang panarbaho, ang ilang employment (Their daily income is still affected. Meaning to say, their work or establishment is still not fully operational,)” she said.

Under the July 3, 2020 guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Omnibus Guidelines, barbershops, salons, and other personal care service establishments are only allowed at a maximum of fifty percent of venue capacity. Dine-in restaurants, fast food, and food retail establishments, including those in supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of seating capacity.

Those under the Category IV of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Memorandum and all other establishments not permitted to operate under GCQ are allowed at a maximum of fifty percent operational capacity. For hotels and other accommodation establishments, only those accredited as provided by law and relevant Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issuances may operate, and only upon issuance of a Certificate of Authority to operate by the DOT.

Dabawenyos in need of food assistance may reach out to their CSWDO barangay and district offices or email at cswdo@davaocity.gov.ph, or message Davao City Reports, Davao City Disaster Radio, Covid-19 Operation Center Hotlines, and the City Mayor’s Office. CIO