THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had just issued a stern warning to organizers behind the sprawling community pantries, which if ignored, may eventually compel the government to close them down.
Interviewed over the radio, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año also cited the need to be more cautious these days and that adherence to COVID-19 health and safety protocols should not be disregarded.
“Kung maba-violate ang health protocols, ito ay ground para ma-stop natin ang community pantry, kasi ito’y pwedeng maging sanhi ng COVID-19 surge,” Año was quoted as saying.
Año also underscored the need for proper coordination with the barangay units for the implementation of the minimum public health and safety protocols if only to ensure that risks of contamination are minimized.
“Maglalabas kami ng advisory at memo sa mga [local government units] kung paano iha-handle nang mabuti ang community pantries na naging inisyatibo ng mga private sector at private individuals,” Ano added.
On April 23, Quezon City released formal guidelines for community pantries, which include a call to people who operate pantries to “give written notice” to the barangay where the project is located.
The issuance of the formal guidelines came after the community pantry of actress Angel Locsin on April 23 resulted in overcrowding and the death of a senior citizen, who initially lost consciousness while waiting for his turn to receive goods.
Local government personnel were unable to control the huge crowd that day, and the QC government claimed they were not informed in advance about Locsin’s initiative.
Community pantries, which are makeshift, sidewalk free food stations serving the needy, sprouted in several parts of the Philippines after the original project in Maginhawa inspired thousands of Filipinos.