MANILA - Pasig authorities will arrest individuals who are trying to exploit the coronavirus pandemic for profit, Mayor Vico Sotto said Thursday, nearly a month into the lockdown of millions in Luzon to halt the spread of COVID-19.

The city government on Wednesday apprehended an individual who made fake IDs to claim food coupons meant for public school children, said Sotto.

"Hindi maiiwasan may loko-loko, mandurugas. Huhulihin namin kayo, ipapakulong namin kayo," the 30-year-old mayor told reporters.

(We cannot avoid dishonest individuals. We will arrest you, jail you.)

"One hundred ten percent effort po ginagawa natin, kahit pagod lahat. Kaya hinihingi ko, ipakita natin ang Pasigueño, disiplinado. Huwag na po tayo manloko," he added.

(We are putting in a 110-percent effort, even if we're all tired already. I ask that we show that Pasig residents are disciplined. Let's not cheat.)

Aside from food coupons, Pasig will shell out P1 billion to give cash aid to residents, Sotto earlier said.

The city will also give its health workers a special risk allowance equivalent to 25 percent of their salary and a daily hazard pay of P500, he said.

Pasig needs to test some 200 people for the novel coronavirus, which it aims to complete in partnership with The Medical City next Thursday, said Sotto.

Luzon, home to around half of the Philippines' 100 million people, is on lockdown until April 30.

The Philippines as of Wednesday confirmed 5,453 cases of the respiratory disease, with 349 deaths and 353 patients who recovered.

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Report from Angel Movido, ABS-CBN News