The city government of Manila has started distributing again food packs to over 700,000 families affected by the Covid-19 surge due to a more transmissible Omicron variant.

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno’’ Domagoso together with Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan on Thursday inspected the food boxes stored inside the San Andres Coliseum.

He said the food problem has become more serious for many families amid the Covid-19 pandemic as many lost have their jobs after Metro Manila was placed anew under Alert Level 3 last January due to surge in Covid-19 cases.

“So, ang epekto nito ilang linggo pagkatapos, mauubos na naman ang ipon ng mga tao, magugutom na naman. Kaya kami, sa maliit naming kaparaan ni Vice Mayor at ng inyong pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila, ‘yung maibsan man lamang ‘yung nararamdaman ng ating mga kababayan ng pagka-gutom (the effect of this will be felt for only few weeks, then the savings will be spent. So, in our own little way, we want to at least alleviate the hunger being experienced by our residents),” Domagoso said.

He said the food boxes to be distributed to the families in 896 barangays in Manila’s six districts are part of the city government’s Food Security Program.

Each food box contains three kilos of rice, canned goods, and sachets of coffee. (PNA)