Classes are suspended, non-essential businesses and enterprises are temporarily closed, checkpoints are set up at every entry and exit points, and people are encouraged to stay at home. These are the things that people need to adjust to because of the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine by the national government and LGUs to prevent the spread of Coronavirus or COVID-19. Everyone’s actions are limited; for some people, they are forced to stay at home because the operation of their line of work is suspended. Take PUV drivers for example; the money they earn for the day is what they use to buy food. Evidently, LGUs must step in to provide food packs or relief goods to their respective constituents. The food packs usually contain rice, instant noodles, biscuits, sardines or other canned food. Fortunately, some LGUs in Region 9 such as Zamboanga City, Isabela City and the Municipality of Kabasalan in Zamboanga Sibugay promote good nutrition by including fresh vegetables in their initiatives.
Hon. Katrina Cainglet-Balladares and Luvly Grace Cainglet-Valdez, the Mayor and Vice-Mayor respectively of the Municipality of Kabasalan in Zamboanga Sibugay, included additional fresh vegetables and fish to the food packs distributed in their locality. Moreover, the LGU of Kabasalan buys local farmers’ produce like vegetables and fish. This strategy aims to help their local farmers to have income and ensure that every member of the household who are given food packs will have a healthy and nutritious food in the table to eat during this home quarantine.
Another good practice is the distribution of vegetable seedlings and assorted vegetable seeds to encourage backyard gardening this home quarantine. This is being practiced by the City Agriculture Office of the City of Isabela, Basilan. With only limited actions during home quarantine, home gardening will not only promote family bonding but also this will help the family to have freshly home grown vegetables to maintain a healthy and nutritious food to eat.
It’s hard to go to the market and grocery stores during this pandemic as there are no public transportation going around the locality unless one has a private vehicle. But this did not stop the LGU of Zamboanga City to launch the Kadiwa on Wheels to visit and serve the different barangays in the City. The Kadiwa on Wheels is a joint project of the DA, BFAR, NFA and City Agriculture Office of the LGU of Zamboanga City. It is a truckload of fresh farm products including vegetables, fruits, fresh and dried fish and fresh cut flowers from the local farmers where the constituents can buy from.
Maintaining a healthy and good nutrition and boosting one’s immune system is vital especially this time of crisis. The distribution of food packs is a good way to encourage people to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but it is better to include fresh vegetables to encourage good nutrition. Other LGUs are encouraged to do the same. Surely, with strong immune system, good nutrition and proper hygiene we can prevent the onset of COVID-19.
AA VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot
