Palace: Queuing for community pantries not an exemption to violate curfew

MANILA, Philippines — Queuing in community pantries is not a reason to be exempted from the curfew hours being implemented in the so-called NCR Plus, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque issued this reminder after some individuals who lined up beyond curfew hours were given tickets for violating protocols.

“Ang curfew po talaga ay uniform dyan po sa NCR at sa mga karatig na probinsya. Hindi po pupuwedeng dahilan yung pagpila sa pantry para magkaroon ng exemption sa curfew,” Roque said in an online briefing.

(The curfew is uniform in NCR and the nearby provinces. Waiting in line in pantries is not a reason to be exempted from the curfew.)

Curfew hours in Metro Manila is from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. while it is under modified enhanced community quarantine until April 30.

“Makipagugnayan po tayo sa mga lokal na pamahalaan dahil ang ninanais lang naman po natin ay itong bayanihan sa pamamagitan ng community pantry ay maibsan ang kagutuman sa panahon ng pandemya,” Roque said.

(Coordinate with local government units because we want to help each other via community pantry to alleviate hunger amid the pandemic.)

“Pero ayaw rin natin na ang community pantries ang maging dahilan para kumalat po ang COVID-19,” he went on.

(But we don’t want community pantries to be the reason for COVID-19 to spread.)

In Quezon City, authorities admitted having a hard time to enforce health protocols due to the increase in community pantries that have sprouted in the city.

JPV