APALIT -- As the country faces a crisis over the rising cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), residents of this municipality were given protection as the local government here distributed free alcohol solution over the weekend.
Mayor Oscar "Jun" Tetangco, Jr. led the distribution of about 25,000 liters of alcohol to several households in the town's 12 barangays starting early Friday morning.
Tetangco said he tapped an alcohol fermentation plant located in Barangay San Vicente here to produce a 70% ethyl alcohol solution to address the demand for the product amid the COVID-19.
He said they opted to go house-to-house instead of gathering the residents in a single place for the distribution as compliance to the social distancing recommended by the Department of Health.
He disclosed that the more than 19,000 households listed in the local government's community-based monitoring system were initially given one liter each of disinfecting alcohol each.
"Initially, we gave one liter of the free alcohol for every families so we can provide for everybody first but we will also be leaving a large dispenser in the barangay hall for those who did not receive, or needed refill," he said.
Aside from households, Tetangco said public facilities such as the local police station, churches and schools were also given disinfecting alcohol to protect their personnel and visitors.
The local chief executive said the distribution of free ethyl alcohol is among of the measures implemented by the local government to protect the community from the dreaded COVID-19.
He also clarified that the items are given away for free to residents and are not intended for selling at higher price.
He warned those that will be selling the alcohol in the actual and online market of the possible charges thay may be filed against them if proven.
Meanwhile, the local government is also disinfecting all public places in town such as government offices, public market, transport terminals and churches to further combat COVID-19.
Tetangco asked for the cooperation of public and to avoid the spread of fake news as they conduct preventive measures against the disease.