Malacañang urged organizers of different community pantries to coordinate with their barangays or local government units to make sure that protocols against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) such as physical distancing are being followed.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement amid concerns that the community pantries that sprouted in different parts of the country may do more harm than good because they tend to gather people in a single area.
In his press briefing on Monday, Roque said these community pantries should still be in compliance with existing health protocols.
"Kinakailangan sumunod din sa minimum health standards. Kasama po diyan yung prohibition on mass gatherings (We should follow minimum health standards including the prohibition of mass gatherings)," he said.
"Kapag tayo po ay nagkumpol-kumpulan, 'yan po ang pinaka-sure na pamamaraan para kumalat ang COVID (If we flock in a single area, that is a sure way to spread COVID-19)," he added.
The Palace official said organizers and those planning to set up a community pantry should coordinate with local officials so their initiative will not be in vain.
"Baka naman sa pagbibigay ng tulong natin, pagbibigay ng pagkain sa ating mga kababayan, eh 'yan naman ang maging dahilan para sila po ay mag-COVID at magkasakit (Maybe in our desire to help and give food, it will instead be the cause for COVID-19 to spread)!" Roque said.
"Kinakailangan po makipag-ugnayan kayo sa inyong barangay at lokal na pamahalaan para naman masiguro lalong-lalo na ang social distancing (You need to coordinate with your barangay and local government to ensure social distancing)," he added.
Meanwhile, Roque reiterated the government's support for the community pantries.
"Malinaw po ang ating sinabi na noong isang (It's clear what we said during the previous) press briefing: Let a thousand community pantries bloom dahil ito po ay bayanihan (because this is unity)," he said.
"It exemplifies the best of the Filipino in the worst of times," he added.
Malacañang has refused to look at community pantries as a condemnation of the government because of the supposed lack of assistance to those affected by the pandemic.