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De Lima to DILG: Ensure safety in community pantries instead of closing them
De Lima to DILG: Ensure safety in community pantries instead of closing them
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday urged the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to “assume a friendly approach” to community pantries instead threatening to halt their activities.
De Lima said the DILG should put to task barangay officials to ensure the proper enforcement of COVID-19 health protocols where community pantries have been set up.
The senator made the call following Interior Secretary Eduardo Año’s warning that the agency will shut down community pantries if health protocols are violated in the process.
Año had also said that he will issue an advisory and memorandum to local government units (LGUs) on the best way to handle community pantries initiated by the private sector and individuals.
“If this administration no longer has the capability or interest to give additional aid to our countrymen, the least they can do is help make the community pantries safe for everyone,” De Lima said in a statement.
“Ang pagbabanta sa mga community pantries ay direktang pag-atake sa kumakalam na sikmura ng mamamayan. Hindi ba dapat saluhin ng local at barangay officials yung pagtitiyak na nasusunod ang health protocol kahit sa mga community pantries (Threatening community pantries with a closure order is a direct attack on the people’s hunger. Shouldn’t local and barangay officials help make sure that health protocols are observed even in community pantries)?” she pointed out.
De Lima also said it is best for the government to work with community pantries rather than see them as an obstacle to their mission and red-tagging organizers of the activity.
She said she is thankful that there are true Filipinos like Ana Patricia Non, who initiated the first community pantry in Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, who came up with the initiative and helped donations reach those who are in dire need of help and food supplies.
“Kulang ang ayuda ng gobyerno kaya pumipila ang mga tao. Tumulong na lang tayo sa pagtitiyak ng kanilang kaligtasan habang kumukuha sila ng ayuda sa mga (The government’s aid is not enough. Let’s just help in making it safe while they line up for aid) at community pantries,” she pointed out.
“Kapag pinasara natin ang mga (If we close these) community pantries, sino pa ang tutulong sa mga nangangailangan ngayong panahon ng pandemya (who else is willing to help for those in need during this pandemic)?” she emphasized.