Food was challenging for the Ilonggos, especially frontliners during the lockdown which started March 20, 2020.
The City Government under Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, however, was quick to respond by establishing Uswag Kitchen Patrol.
The Uswag Kitchen Patrol is a project led by first lady, Rosalie Treñas, and the Office of the LGBT Affairs.
It was initiated provide the food needs of frontliners who were assigned in the borders, hospitals, quarantine facilities, testing centers, and city hall skeletal workforce.
It is rooted on the idea of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs – stating that one can only move towards better self if basic needs are satisfied.
During the transition days, before the end of ECQ, Uswag Kitchen Patrol activated five kitchens to increase the reach of those who were in need.
Uswag Kitchen Patrol had one for Uswag Dorm, two Public Hospitals, one quarantine facility, and one for the operations center.
Their main goal is to continue to provide food for the city’s constituents who were on a 24/7 on duty.
From 200 people fed for both lunch and dinner, it expanded to feed an average of 2,000 people per meal.
The Kitchen operated for 57 days (March 20 – May 15, 2020) with a total of 92,749 meals.