CEBU CITY, Philippines - Long queues of shoppers in front of major supermarkets were common sights during crisis, particularly during COVID-19 lockdowns and the aftermath of Typhoon Odette
The Dasig Sugbo cards that were distributed to victims of Typhoon Odette in Cebu province. | Photo from Sugbo News
The long queue of people outside supermarkets began sometime between March 1 and March 3, just days after the Capitol distributed the second tranche of its Dasig Sugbo cards. But instead of usually handing out cash directly to recipients, the aid is contained in a quick-response code-equipped card. She also said representatives of the supermarkets told her, and the rest of those who queued to buy groceries, that the Capitol allegedly was not yet able to pay them.