Bulacan town launches online palengke to decongest markets

An online palengke has been launched in Plaridel, Bulacan amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

In Jamie Santos' report for "24 Oras," residents can check the Facebook group "Plaridel Online Palengke" to see the goods available for purchase.

Luzon residents are allowed to go outside to buy food and other essentials under the measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but grocery shopping still poses a risk.

READ: Here's how to prevent COVID-19 from entering your home

"Ang objective po namin is 'yung ma-decongest 'yung palengke plus 'yung opportunity po ng mga seller sa palengke na makabenta po sila online," said Cecille Hilario from the Plaridel local government.

An online palengke can reduce the need to go outside as residents can simply order what they need.

READ: Pasig City launches mobile palengke to reduce shoppers in wet markets

To protect high-risk individuals like senior citizens and those with other diseases like asthma and hypertension, the local government tapped the youth to deliver the goods to people's homes.

"'Yung Sangguniang Kabataan po namin, 'yung mga chairman at kasama po nila sa barangay SK councilors,  sila po 'yung nag-ra-run ng errands," said Jeffrey Gleane, a Municipal Youth Development Officer.

As of Friday, Plaridel still has zero confirmed cases of COVID-19. --MGP, GMA News