Rodriguez, Rizal residents line up for assistance but social welfare officials stay home

Numerous citizens waited outside of the municipal hall of Rodriguez, Rizal for cash assistance amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

However, officials from the municipal social welfare department (MSWD) were no longer present in the area since they were at home and practicing self-quarantine, according to Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras" Thursday.

Previously, the officials from the MSWD were busy distributing financial aid to residents until they decided they had to quarantine themselves.

One of the officers present at the municipal shared that they were told to not let the residents in the hall since no one from the MSWD was present to assist them.

"Wala silang makukuhang kakausap na tao dahil nga naka-quarantine," said the officer.

Among the citizens who waited in line outside of the hall was 68-year-old Florinda Cruz who needed money to feed her sick grandson.

She said, "Wala kahit singko pambili ko ng gamot, wala akong kakainin pambili ng ulam para sa apo ko. Nagtitiis din 'yung apo ko may sakit din." — Kaela Malig/BM, GMA News