Written notice, point person now required in setting up community pantries in QC

Social distancing went out the window when residents went flocked to actress Angel Locsin’s community pantry in Quezon City to mark her birthday on Friday, April 23. – INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — While permits are not required, community pantry organizers in Quezon City are “strongly encouraged” to provide written notice and coordinate with the barangays where they are located, as well as provide a point person responsible for it.

This was contained in a memorandum released by the Quezon City government dated April 23, the same day a senior citizen collapsed and died while waiting in line at the community pantry organized by actress Angel Locsin on Friday.

The city hall further required that the notice should designate a point person responsible for the pantry, preferably a resident of the barangay where they intend to set up the pantry.

“A person or group intending to operate a community pantry is strongly encouraged to give written notice and coordinate with the Barangay where the pantry is located,” the guidelines noted.

“The notice should indicate a responsible person who shall be accountable for the pantry, and who is preferably a resident of the barangay concerned. For clarity, provided that the community pantry provides food to the public for free, no barangay or city government permit or clearance shall be required for the pantry to operate,” it added.

Pantry attendants and staff are likewise enjoined to wear face masks and face shields at all times, and that a “no face mask, no service” policy shall be implemented.

At least a one-meter distance among persons in a queue shall also be maintained, the guidelines added.

“Patrons are prohibited from eating or drinking in the vicinity of the community pantry. All food or drink shall be for take out only. Prohibit patrons from unnecessarily touching or handling items on display,” the guidelines stated.

Other guidelines are as follows:

The pantry and the barangay may coordinate regarding reasonable crowd control measures, such as:

• setting a cut off time for persons in a queue;
• limiting the number of persons served in a day, or for certain time periods such as morning or afternoon;
• using marshals to enforce health protocols and disperse overcrowding;
• delineating locations for queues;
• the community pantry should avoid blocking any road or sidewalk;
• the community pantry may operate from 5 am to 8 pm, subject to any revision of the prevailing public safety hours;
• it should maintain cleanliness in its immediate vicinity.
• cartons, plastic bags, ecobags or other containers, food scraps and waste must be properly disposed of;
• pantry operators shall assume responsibility for food safety.
• food must be fresh or not expired, and no adulterated, spoiled or unsanitary foods shall be distributed;

Pantry operators shall assume responsibility for food safety. Ffood must be fresh or not expired, and no adulterated, spoiled or unsanitary foods shall be distributed, the guidelines further said.

In light of reports of certain persons exploiting community pantries and taking more than their fair share, community pantries are encouraged to adopt a system to mitigate abuse or hoarding.

EDV