PH 
MANILA – Around 400,000 families in Quezon City need assistance during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, Mayor Joy Belmonte said Wednesday.
In an interview with radio DZMM, Belmonte said 400,000 families or around 2 million people need to be supplied for their basic needs, like food and water.
"Bawat pamilya po ay may 5 anak, or 5 family members. That's about 2 million people," she said. "It's very hard to procure for 400,000 families."
The mayor sought understanding, saying she was being bashed for her supposed slow action for residents who are affected by the quarantine.
"Sana maunawaan po ng ating mga kababayan na hindi naman tayo mabagal, mahirap lang talaga mangalap ng supplier na ganyan kadami ang maibibigay sa atin," she said.
Belmonte said Quezon City local authorities, particularly barangay officials, will start this week to distribute aid to their constituents, especially those severely affected by the quarantine.
"Actually, Thursday darating na po 'yung mga ibang goods and magre-repack pa po tayo for 400,000 families," she said.
Barangay officials were also ordered to use their "quick response funds" to buy food and other necessities for residents, Belmonte said.
The city government will provide fresh supply of goods to affected residents starting next week, she assured. Food packs, which can last for one week, will be distributed by her administration.
More than P1 billion worth of goods will be provided, said Belmonte.
She earlier confirmed that 29 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Quezon City, including in Kalusugan and Tandang Sora where a "extreme enhanced community quarantine" or a much stricter isolation has been imposed.
The 29 cases account for 25 percent of recorded infections in Metro Manila, she said.–With a report from Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News
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