Malacañang said humanitarian activities were allowed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) but said organizers must coordinate with the local government unit (LGU) of their target area to ensure adherence to minimum health standards.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement a day before Metro Manila shifted to ECQ from August 6 to 20, 2021.
In his press briefing on Thursday, August 5, Roque said that humanitarian activities such as feeding programs and community pantries can take place in areas under ECQ as long as such an event was approved by the concerned LGU.
"Kinakailangang makipag-ugnayan po lahat ng humanitarian agencies, pati mga community pantries, sa LGUs (Humanitarian agencies, including community pantries, should coordinate with LGUs)," he said,
"Papayagan po siguro 'yan. Kung papayagan ng LGU, LGU magde-designate ng lugar at magpapatupad ng health protocols kung sila ay papayagan (I think that would be allowed. If the LGU will allow them, the LGU will designate a particular area for it and implement health protocols)," he added.
"Kasi ang anyo po ng ECQ, lahat dapat homeliners, except kung bibili o kukuha ng pangangailangan (It's because under ECQ, all of us should be homeliners unless we have to buy or get our basic needs)," he continued.
Roque said humanitarian activities were important especially for those who would be badly hit by the strict lockdown.
"Naiintindihan natin na importante ang humanitarian relief para doon sa mga wala talagang pambili ng pagkain (We understand that humanitarian relief is important for those who have no money to buy food)," he said.
Metro Manila was placed under a two-week ECQ following the surge in COVID-19 cases and the alarming increase of individuals affected by the more contagious Delta variant.
Malacañang has assured affected residents that they will receive cash assistance worth P1,000 or up to P4,000 per family.