DILG warns shutdown of community pantry violating health protocols
By Chito Chavez
Community pantries found to be violating the minimum health standards will be shut down as the huge crowd may become super spreaders with many fearing that the charitable initiative may result in another coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) upsurge.
Department of theInterior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año disclosed on Tuesday, April 27, that he will issue an advisory and memo to the local government units (LGUs) on the best way to handle community pantries initiated by the private sector and individuals.
In an interview over ABS-CBN Teleradyo, Año said the DILG has compelled the community pantry organizers to coordinate with the LGUs to ensure the efficient enforcement of the required health protocol, maintenance of peace and order and assure that the distributed goods are received by the rightful recipients.
“Unang-una, magkakaroon dapat ng masusi at closer coordination ang ating organizer at saka LGU sapagkat unang-una dapat maimplement 'yung minimum health standard. Kung may mag violate d'yan, ito ay ground para pa stop natin 'yung community pantry kasi ito ang pwedeng maging sanhi ng surge at tinatawag nating breakout (First the organizers and the LGU should forge a strict and closer coordination since firstly the minimum health standards should be implemented. If there are violators, this is a ground for us to stop that community pantry since this could be the cause of the (COVID-19) surge which we refer to as breakout),’’ Año said.
He emphasized that the LGUs play a big role as they would determine the venue of the charitable undertaking that is accessible to the beneficiaries adding that the localities can also provide the link of the local producers to the community pantry organizers as well as provide security and help in maintaining peace and order in the area.
Año also cited the Maginhawa Community Pantry and is supportive of the efforts made by private individuals and organizations in charitable works in distressed times but stressed that this should be done with the LGU team up.
“Dapat ito ay maayos at saka tahimik at hindi naman kailangan dito ng credit ng sinuman. Ang importante dito ay tumulong talaga sa ating mga mas nangangailangang kababayan (it should be orderly and peaceful where credit should not be bestowed on anyone. What is important here is to help our needy countrymen),’’ he added.
The Maginhawa Community Pantry now serves as the drop off point to prevent huge crowds from falling in line to get their aid with a group of bikers transporting the donations to 15 other mini community pantries. (Chito A. Chavez)