The Department of Health (DOH) once again reminded individuals who are planning to organize community pantries to coordinate first with their local government units (LGUs) to ensure the implementation of health protocols.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that community pantries can be potential “superspreader” of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Ang ibig sabihin po ng superspreader maaring marami ang mahawa sa sakit na COVID-19 kapag tayo ay nagtitipon-tipon, nagkakaroon ng crowding because of these certain events (A superspreader means that many can be infected with COVID-19 when we gather or there is crowding because of these certain events),” said Vergeire on Friday, June 4.
Holding community pantries should be organized, said Vergeire.
“We call on the local government units, our kababayans na sana po kung gusto natin talaga ng ganitong mga activities, we do not oppose that dahil alam natin na nakakatulong sa ating mga kababayan, pero gawin natin itong organisado and let us please try to comply with the safety protocols para walang magkakasakit kung tayo ay magdadaos ng ganitong activities (We call on the local government units and our citizens that if we really want such activities...we do not oppose that because we know that it helps our citizens, but let's make it organized and let us please try to comply with the safety protocols so that no one will get sick if we hold such activities),” she said.
It was reported recently that 56 people contracted COVID-19 after a community pantry was organized in Barangay Matandang Balara, Quezon City.