HEALTHY FOOD RATION. Local government workers of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao prepare vegetables to be given to residents affected by the community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 on Monday (March 30, 2020). Municipal Mayor Mary Joy Midtimbang describes the project as hitting two birds with one stone – income for local farmers and healthy and nutritious food for the people. (Photo courtesy of DAM LGU)
COTABATO CITY – A local government unit (LGU) in Maguindanao has ordered municipal disaster workers to buy the vegetable products of local farmers and include these in food packages that the local government unit (LGU) is giving to its constituents amid the community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Mayor Mary Joy Estephanie Midtimbang of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao, said that instead of buying vegetables in other areas, the local government decided to buy locally-grown agricultural products.
“We are packing food packs for our constituents while quarantine is being implemented in the province and in town to contain the spread of Covid-19,” Midtimbang said.
The vegetables are packed together with rice, canned goods, and other food provisions to be given to Datu Anggal Midtimbang residents “since they could not go out to buy food in the market or in other towns”.
Beneficiaries of the “buy local” program are women farmers who were recipients of a livelihood project from the local government several months back.
“I never thought at the start that the livelihood project would be of great help now that we are facing this crisis,” Midtimbang said.
She added that vegetables, aside from boosting the immune system of every individual observing community quarantine, also provide income to farmers during this time of economic slowdown.
Among the vegetable harvested for distribution to local residents are squash, eggplant, “okra” (lady’s fingers), onion leaves, camote leaves, tomatoes, and other locally-produced vegetables.
The mayor said the LGU has just completed its first round of food rationing with vegetables included in the package.
“The next round will also be vegetable-filled food ration,” she added.
Datu Anggal Midtimbang town has a population of about 25,000 inhabitants living in seven villages. (PNA)
