SOME 766 residents severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic have received another package of livelihood and cash assistance, Mayor John Rey Tiangco said on Monday. The beneficiaries were also given cash aid worth P1,000 to P3,000 under the “NavoAhon Ayuda” program, the mayor said.

Among the beneficiaries were some 400 displaced workers; 105 delivery riders, jeepney, tricycle and pedicab drivers; 21 jobseekers who graduated in 2020-2021; 60 small-scale entrepreneurs whose businesses were not allowed to operate during the heightened quarantine restrictions; and 180 new small business owners.

The mayor told The Manila Times that they decided to provide livelihood as well as financial assistance to residents who were severely affected by the pandemic.

“The number of Covid-19 cases is now declining and more Navoteños are now able to return to work and businesses have resumed operations, but many are still struggling,” Tiangco said.

“It may take us awhile to fully recover from the effects of the pandemic, and we want to extend all possible assistance to our constituents until then,” he added.

Another batch of beneficiaries is expected to be validated and provided with livelihood assistance next month, the local government said.

The “NavoAhon Ayuda” is part of a series of pandemic recovery programs that the city government has lined up for Navoteños, according to the city chief executive.

In February and March this year, 2,500 qualified individuals and small business owners also received cash assistance under the program. At that time, the local administration was under then mayor and now Rep. Tobias “Toby” Tiangco, the mayor’s brother.

The Tiangco brothers have been credited by residents for their effective Covid-19 response programs, especially at the height of the deadly disease where lockdowns were imposed and residents stayed at home without jobs or income.