The city government here has continued to supply fresh vegetables to the families affected by lockdowns due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a radio interview on July 13, Leo Brian Leuterio, head of the City Agriculturist Office, said they ensure that fresh vegetables are readily available for food distribution which is essential in boosting the immune system of the members of the households affected by the lockdown.

“This allows families to eat fresh foods that are essential to keep healthy on days where they could not go out to the market,” he said.

Aside from this, the program also helps farmers continue to earn despite the pandemic as the fresh vegetables are purchased directly from the farmers.

“Since the families cannot go out to buy fresh foods, the city government will make it, we helped those in lockdown and we also help our farmers. It works well for both sides,” Leuterio added.

He also disclosed that the PHP1 million budget allotted for the program was already utilized.

“We submitted a request to the City Mayor’s Office for additional PHP2 million budget for the increasing number of (affected persons) and the continuing lockdown in our city,” he added.

Leuterio said they buy fresh vegetables for 250 per pack, which lasts for a week.

Apart from fresh vegetables distributed, he said their office also distributed seedlings to urban subdivisions to allow a smooth food supply.

“One way or another these communities sustained the production of fresh food that at the same time it is clean because it is organic,” he said.

Davao City is under the strictest modified enhanced community quarantine until Thursday, July 15. (PNA)