The spread of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 viruas has been an urgent concern of LGUs in the Philippines. In Quezon City, the local government has implemented Special Concern Lockdown Areas (SCLA) in locations where there is a high number of COVID-19 cases

to help minimize transmission. On August 24, there were 68 areas declared as SCLAs 4,300 affected families or about 8,000 individuals. As of Thursday, September 2, the number of areas under SCLA is now down to 56, with an estimated 2,669 families or 4,650 individuals affected.

For Quezon City 4th District Councilor Hero Bautista, the rapid spread of COVID-19 required an intensified effort from the LGU to help its constituents. Throgh his FightCOVID-19 campaign, the councilor and his staff has upped their relief efforts, visiting 38 baranggays in the past 3 weeks. During these visits, the team would distribute face masks, face shields, and hygiene and sanitation kits to residents in the areas. They have also installed automatic alcohol dispensers in every barangay in District 4 to encourage frequent sanitation.

Relief efforts have also been continuous. The office of Councilor Bautista have been regularly distributing food packs to frontliners as well as giving groceries to families affected by the lockdown. “the teams and I would be ready as early as 5 in the morning to start distributing relief goods, hot arroz caldo and hygiene kits. Fortunately, we’ve never been hit with COVID-19 and we do regular swab tests to ensure that we aren’t infected,” Councilor Bautista said