People visit the Maginhawa Community Pantry initiated by Ana Patricia Non on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Teacher’s Village, Quezon City. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — So-called epal politicians — or those who put signs showing their names and images on their projects — are not allowed in community pantries, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday.
Año said this was included in the guidelines on community pantries crafted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The pantries recently made headlines for their efforts to provide food and other forms of assistance to people badly affected by lockdowns enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will not allow that there will be epal, or what we call as those putting up any signage, billboards, posters, pictures, names, initials, or images of people setting up a community pantry — especially politicians who would want to gain publicity at a community pantry,” Año said in Filipino.
According to Año, community pantry organizers should likewise ensure the safety of their beneficiaries by implementing health protocols such as social distancing and wearing of face masks.
Año said community pantries could trigger a spike in COVID-19 cases if health protocols would not be followed.
He warned that community pantries that would not follow minimum public health standards could face closure.
Año also stressed that, while no permit was required to set u a community pantry, organizers should still coordinate with local government units (LGUs).