Residents called for equal access or a more inclusive distribution of the “Manila Vital Care Kit” after the city government posted about giving emergency care kits to students and city workers.
On Monday, October 13, the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) said it had distributed 101,214 care kits intended for use during disasters and emergencies to select students, city employees and health center workers.
The recipients among students include senior high school students and Grade 10 students, as well as those enrolled at the Universidad de Manila and the Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila.
City workers who received the kits include barangay tanods and officials, regular and contractual city employees, job order personnel and health center workers.
According to the MPIO, the initiative aims to create a “multiplier force” in disaster preparedness.
“Layunin ng programang ito na makabuo ng ‘multiplier force” — kung saan ang isang ordinaryong mamamayan ay may sapat na kagamitan at kaalaman upang makapagligtas ng buhay sa panahon ng kalamidad,” MPIO’s post read.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso also highlighted the initiative in a post on his official Facebook page.
“Layunin ng programang ito na matiyak na hangga’t maari na ang mga barangay, paaralan, at workplace sa Maynila ay handa at may kakayahang tumugon nang ligtas at epektibo sa panahon ng pangangailangan,” he said.
While the initiative was generally welcomed, some Filipinos expressed hope for a fairer distribution of the emergency kits, raising concerns that families belonging to the same sector might receive multiple kits while others are left out.
“Very wrong! Dapat ang pamigay per household, halos lahat napunta lang sa mga government official eh. Pero ang tax, halos sa’min mga pribadong tao,” a Facebook user commented.
“Example, kung may anak ka sa PLM tapos SHS, tapos asawa mo, brgy official. Ikaw naman city hall employee, eh di parang isang pamilya lang nakinabang. Dapat per household or per family. Dapat pag-isipan rin nila. Opinion ko lang po iyan,” another said.
“Sana per household na lang para lahat mabigyan. Paano ‘yung mga barangay offlicials na may anak sa senior high, may asawa na nagtatrabaho sa city hall. Edi doble doble sa kanila. Sana kada head of the family na lang ang pagbibigay. Para lahat magkaroon,” another Pinoy commented.
“That should be distributed per household, like the ayuda during pandemic, to ensure all households from the City of Manila will at least be covered and [have] something to use, safety is for everyone,” a different Facebook user said.
“Mayor, per household po sana. Paano naman kaming mga Manileño voters and residents pero ‘di naman na student or nagwo-work sa LGU (local government unit),” another Pinoy commented.
In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city government distributed emergency “Go Bags” to Manila residents.
Each kit contained first-aid supplies, food bars, a whistle, a power bank, a solar-powered radio and other essential items.
On October 12, the MPIO recalled the distribution of Go Bags in 2020, during Isko’s first term as mayor, which began in 2019.
Some online users expressed hope that all residents could receive kits this time, especially in light of the recent strong earthquakes in the country.
“Sana po lahat makakuha niyan, importante po sa panahon na ito. Bawat tahanan dapat may matanggap niyan, para handa at ‘di lang guro at studyante, lalo sa Maynila po sa pinamumunuan ni Mayor Isko. Gawin niyo ‘yan nang madalian para matanggap ng bawat kabahayan, salamat po,” a Facebook user wrote.
Local government units have been distributing “Go Bags” to residents amid recent reports of strong earthquakes in various parts of the country.
These emergency-preparedness bags are designed to contain enough supplies to sustain one person for three days while awaiting rescue or relief.
Disasters often disrupt electricity, water, and communication lines, making self-sufficiency crucial during the initial days after an event.
The City of Manila is vulnerable to strong tremors due to the West Valley Fault, which has the potential to generate a magnitude 7.2 or stronger earthquake. — with reports by Philstar.com/Kristofer Purnell
