Implementing Agency:

City Government of Valenzuela

Year Implemented:

23 March 2020 – 5 July 2020

Themes:

Management for Productivity, Quality, and Agility, and Perspectives on Productivity, Governance, and Development

General Description

The City Government of Valenzuela implemented the Alagang Valenzuelano Food Voucher System to distribute food packs to its residents amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The vouchers include pertinent details such as the date, time, and place where it can be redeemed. 

Background and Problem

The lockdowns, hoarding, and supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 has caused difficulties in procuring essential goods for a significant portion of the population. Community quarantines have affected businesses, with wage-earners struggling to find possible income sources to provide for their families.

Solution and Impact 

The Food Voucher System was developed to organize the distribution mechanism for food assistance employed by the local government unit (LGU). Through this system, LGU personnel are able to enforce social distancing protocols and avoid the transmission of COVID-19. To further eliminate the possibility of infection, residents must undergo temperature checks and sanitize their hands before receiving their food packs. 

The first wave of food vouchers that were targeted to accommodate 105,000 families. Health workers went door-to-door to distribute the food vouchers to low-income families, which make up almost 80% of the population of the city. Succeeding waves were expanded to include both low- and middle-income families, the elderly, as stranded workers affected by the lockdown in Metro Manila, and other vulnerable members of the community.

The food packs—which contained rice, noodles, sugar, canned goods, and energy drinks—were available to be claimed in any of the 24 emergency stations in the city.

Milestones 

The City Government supplied 581,901 food packs during the three waves of distribution, with every household in the city having been given at least one food pack. The food voucher system was also used for the Valenzuela City annual gift-giving program for senior citizens called Food Pack nina Lolo at Lola. A total of 55,466 senior citizens received the food packs which contained rice, canned goods, instant noodles, sugar, and a box of calcium carbonate tablets. 

Testimonials 

“Mas okay ang food packs than pera, talagang kailangan mo kumain eh, para sa pamilya mo, at maraming makikinabang. Wala kaming problema kasi supportive sila, kasi ang trato nila sa amin ay parang we belong to the same family talaga. Ang saya sa pakiramdam kasi parang pamilya, lahat inaalagaan nila. [It is better to receive food packs rather than money because you and your family need to eat, and many people will benefit from this food voucher. We have no problem because the local government is supportive, and they treat us as part of their family. I’m feeling happy because they take care of us like their family.]” – Grace Almazan, Resident of Valenzuela City

“The voucher system is effective in ensuring all the residents will receive food packs.” – Emmanuel Espino, Barangay Chairman of Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City

Photos

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Wave 2 Distribution of Food Vouchers to Valenzuelanos (Source: City Government of Valenzuela)

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Wave 3 Distribution of Food Vouchers to Valenzuelanos (Source: City Government of Valenzuela)

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Alagang Valenzuelano Food Voucher (Source: Raffy Sison Santos Twitter Account)

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Alagang Valenzuelano Food Pack (Source: Raffy Sison Santos Twitter Account)

Sources

Cerrudo, A. (2020, March 25). Valenzuela City implements food voucher system for food pack distribution. UNTV News and Rescue. https://www.untvweb.com/news/valenzuela-city-implements-food-voucher-system-for-food-pack-distribution/

City Government of Valenzuela (2020, April 21). Alagang Valenzuelano Food Pack Distribution Now On Its Second Wave.

City Government of Valenzuela (2020, May 5). Valenzuela Answers Extended ECQ Woes with 3rd Wave of Food Voucher Distribution.

Gavilan, J. (2020, June 28). Valenzuela City’s pandemic response: ‘Everything has to happen now’. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/everything-has-to-happen-now-coronavirus-response-valenzuela-city

Lolo, R (2020, July 4). 55,466 Valenzuela seniors to receive food packs. Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/07/04/55466-valenzuela-seniors-to-receive-food-packs/

Santos, R. (2020, March 24). Food vouchers sinimulan nang ipamigay sa Valenzuela. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/24/20/food-vouchers-sinimulan-nang-ipamigay-sa-valenzuela