Manila to boost assistance following viral clip of nationals grappling for food packs

Screenshot from a video, posted by José das Neves, shows restaurant handing relief goods to Filipino nationals

The Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is preparing to assist the country’s Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in case the department sends additional relief goods to Filipino nationals in Macau. 

This comes after a social media post, uploaded by a local resident and photographer, José das Neves, went viral showing several Filipinos grappling for relief goods being handed out by a Chinese vegetarian restaurant.

DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo posted on his social media page, “Although the DMW has already sent out assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), we are getting ready to assist the DMW in case they need to send additional assistance to the 27,000 OFWs in Macau.”

On Saturday, several dozens of Filipinos were seen along Rua dos Ervanarios waiting for relief goods from a vegetarian restaurant.

The distribution of goods was supposed to start at 6:30 p.m.

However, the Times was informed that people began queuing up as early as 5 p.m., with queues forming by around 5:30 p.m. A police officer reportedly told them not to gather and to maintain a distance of at least one meter apart.  

However, such instructions became difficult to follow as the packs were only being distributed to the first 100 in queue.

“I have been on no-pay leave this entire month. Getting at least some food packs here would be helpful,” a non-resident told the Times.

While queuing up, many remained anxious as they were afraid of being caught by police officers for breaching pandemic prevention measures. 

“I’d rather leave than get caught for lining up. It’s a lot of people already. I don’t even know if the goods will reach me,” said another.

The relief pack reportedly contained rice, canned goods, and noodles. 

The video posted on social media had caught the attention of DSWD, as it depicted the remaining Filipinos at the tail end of the queue grappling for the relief goods.

“The DMW and DSWD are preparing relief packs for the OFWs as soon as possible.

The Consulate is looking for a grocery store from which items for the OFWs can be purchased, which will be paid for by DSWD,” said Tulfo.

“The Malacañang Palace is monitoring the situation and the DMW Secretary is updating the President of the Philippines,” he added.

Philippine local associations told Lusa News Agency that several migrant workers were surviving only on food donations, as many of them had to undergo unpaid leave due to the lockdown.

Two weeks ago, the DMW said that all hands were on deck to bring as many Covid-care packages and food packs to OFWs who might not have either the means or the mobility to buy food and medicines.