After city hall fiasco, Las Piñas assures residents will receive relief goods at home

MANILA - Las Piñas City on Thursday assured residents they will receive relief goods at their own homes, after crowds gathered in front of the city hall, risking possible infection of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"Ikinalulungkot namin ang nangyari kahapon kung saan ang ilang residente ng Las Piñas ay nagpunta sa City Hall," the local government said in a Facebook post. 

(We are saddened with what happened yesterday in which some residents of Las Piñas went to City Hall.)

"Ipinapaalam namin sa lahat, na ang relief goods at supplies ay ipapamahagi sa inyong mga tahanan para sa kaligtasan ng lahat."

(We are announcing to all, that relief goods and supplies will be distributed to your homes for the safety of all.)

The city government called on residents to stay at home to avoid contracting COVID-19.

Las Piñas City administrator Rey Balagulan explained that they were just packing relief goods and preparing them for distribution for the coming days.

When some residents heard relief goods were being packed, they already flooded the entrance of city hall, said Balagulan.

"Following the incident, PNP (Philippine National Police) was able to stay and help in managing the crowd. Social distancing was not being observed anymore," he told ANC.

The local official they are still "in the process" of preparing relief goods and food supplies, and will be meeting with barangay officials over the distribution of donations.

"House-to-house po [ang distribution]," he assured.

 At least 2 cases of COVID-19 has been recorded in Las Piñas.