DISTANCING IMPOSSIBLE – Aid seekers throng the community pantry set up by actor Angel Locsin in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, on Friday. A total of 300 stubs were distributed, but as many as 3,000 converged on the site. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Community pantries face the possibility of being shut down — if health and safety protocols are violated in the process, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Tuesday.
Año issued this warning as he reiterated his call for community pantry organizers to coordinate with local government units (LGUs).
“Unang una, dapat ay magkakaroon ng masusi at closer coordination ang ating organizer at saka LGU sapagkat, unang una, dapat maimplement yung health standards,” Año said in an interview onTeleradyo.
(First of all, there should be detailed and closer coordination between the organizer and the LGU because we need to implement health standards.)
“Kung hindi maiimplement o may mava-violate dyan, ito ay ground para ipa-stop natin yung community pantry,” he added.
(If health standards are not followed or there are violations pertaining to such, this is a ground to stop the community pantry.)
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)
Año said the DILG will release an advisory and a memorandum for LGUs on community pantries that have sprouted in many areas to help residents in need of food through donated goods by private citizens.
“Sa coordination na yan, ang LGU ay magiging malaki ang papel niyan. Kasi unang una, sya rin ang puwede magdetermine kung saan yung venue na gaganapin yung distribution,” he said.
(In this coordination, the LGU has a major role. First, it may determine the distribution venue.)
“At pagbibigay rin ng security, peace at order kasi kapag dumagsa na ang mga beneficiaries, I don’t think kaya ng organizer na i-maintain yung crowd,” he added.
(The local officials may also provide security, peace and order because if a large volume of beneficiaries shows up, I don’t think the organizer can maintain the crowd.)
The Maginhawa Community Pantry initiated by Ana Patricia Non in Teacher’s Village, Quezon City. (INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)
Metro Manila mayors have urged community pantry organizers to coordinate their activities with the LGUs.
While permits are not required, community pantry organizers in Quezon City were encouraged to provide a written notice and the point person to their respective barangays.