THE Cebu City Council has approved a resolution providing local musicians with some form of assistance as they grapple with livelihood loss due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Cebu City Councilor Prisca Niña Mabatid, author of the resolution, said the assistance may be cash, rice subsidy and canned goods. The Council approved her resolution during its Aug. 4, 2020 session.

She said she has identified 2,000 musicians who were dependent on public performances, including gigs in hotels and restaurants.

Because of the strict quarantine measures against the spread of Covid-19, these musicians have lost their source of income.

The resolution authorizes the mayor to sign any and all documents to implement the assistance program.

In her resolution, Mabatid said the musicians joined the ranks of the unemployed when Cebu City was first placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on March 28.

Hotels and restaurants were among the businesses that were forced to close.

“Consequently, most of these musicians are being deprived of livelihood or sources of income with which to support themselves and their families,” said Mabatid.

Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, majority floor leader, said the final decision lies with the mayor or the executive department, who or which may choose to heed or not to heed the resolutions passed by the Council. (JJL)