A TOTAL of 259 barangays in Manila were awarded by Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna for being COVID-free for the past two months.
Moreno said of the number, 33 are ‘grandslammers’, meaning they have been COVID-free for four months in a row.
“This means that being COVID-free is doable and replicable,” Moreno said, as he also thanked the other barangays which have been able to maintain a low number of infections in their areas of responsibility.
The effort has been incentivized by Moreno and Lacuna, with every barangay that registers no cases of COVID for two consecutive months getting P100,000 each.
‘’ I am happy for these barangays. Una, dahil safe sila at pangalawa dahil may chape (money) sila. They can use the money for the needs of the barangay like food, PPEs,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Moreno said the city’s 2021 budget is focused on addressing the problem on hunger and jobs.
“Lahat tayo may sikmura. Mahirap, middle class, mayaman. Ang kalsada wala. Kaya marami tayong isinakripisyong kalsada para ma-address ang needs ng mga tao,” he added.
The mayor also expressed optimism that the COVID vaccines will arrive sooner than expected.
Moreno added the city government will conduct continuous simulation exercises of its vaccination program to ensure smooth flow of processes once the vaccines arrive.
