Rodriguez residents, including seniors, brave rains for aid, but mayor nowhere to be found

Despite the rains brought by Ambo, residents of Kasiglahan Village in Rodriguez, Rizal lined up for the cash aid under the government's social amelioration program.

According to Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras," residents seeking aid also gathered anew in front of the municipal hall of Rodriguez, no official had faced them.

"Saan po namin ito idu-dulog? Basang-basa na po ito. Listahan po ito lahat ng Barangay Burgos na hindi nakakuha. Saan po namin ito ibibigay, ayaw naman po nila tanggapin," 64-year-old Socorro Cruz said.

Meanwhile, 59-year-old Cecillia Ballos pleaded for help from President Rodrigo Duterte.

Josephine Ugbok also asked authorities to help her 16-year-old child who has cancer.

"'Yung anak ko, stage 3 na 'yung cancer niya, hindi ko madala sa ospital. Sana po may tumulong naman po sa anak ko na madala sa ospital. At sana 'yung kaunting ayuda na makuha ko dito, malaking tulong na po sa anak ko para pambili ng gamot," Ugbok said.

Her child was not accepted by hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Hirap na hirap na po kasi siya, hindi na siya makalad. Lumalaki na po 'yung tiyan niya, sobrang payat, kasi hindi siya makakain," she added.

Editha Hernandez, 82 years old, was also among the residents asking for help. Her only companion at home is her sibling, who had suffered from a stroke.

The family relied on food given by their neighbors. However, due to the long lockdown, they were no longer able to give food to the family.

"Wala akong ayuda na makukuha, wala akong pagkain. May magbibigay sa akin 'yung 'pag gabi, binibigyan ako ng pagkain, kinaubugahan ko po kakain, hahatiin ko pa 'yun para kakain ko kinaumagahan," she said.

"Nagmamakaawa ako, humihingi ako ng tulong," she added.

GMA News tried to reach out to Mayor Dennis Hernandez to ask regarding residents, including senior citizens, who were asking for aid.

However, the mayor was not present. Officials from the municipal social welfare and development were also not around and were said to be busy distributing aid. —Joahna Lei Casilao/JST, GMA News