By NG Seruela
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported Wednesday (April 28) that it has created guidelines for community pantries.
In President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Talk to the People, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año laid out the guidelines they have set to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 through community pantries that do not observe the proper minimum health protocols.
“Kaya kailangan ay mayroong standards na sinusunod. Sinuman ang organizer, sinuman ang mayroong nag-inisyatibo, dapat ma-ensure ang safety ng lahat, both ang organizer, ang beneficiaries, at pati na rin ang mga nagpapatupad ng ating mga batas,” he said.
The DILG chief said community pantry organizers are not required to obtain a permit. However, coordination with the appropriate local government units (LGUs) is needed to ensure compliance with the law and ordinances of the area.
Illegal and harmful items including alcohol and cigarettes must not be part of the community pantry items.
“Kailangan ang basic health protocols ay masusunod at mao-obserba. At ito po ang isang dahilan…para puwede nating ipatigil ang community pantry, kapag hindi nasusunod ang basic or minimum health standard, sapagkat ito nga ang pagmumulan ng surge or spike,” he added.
Moreover, no fees must be charged because the initiative exemplifies the bayanihan spirit.
Año pointed out that the LGUs must choose the community pantry’s venue, which must be in an area where the pantry is most needed, adding that LGUs can assist the pantry organizer with their supply linkages and site security.
“At ang LGU din po ang pupuwedeng magbigay ng link sa ating mga organizer, kung halimbawa, kailangan ng mga supplier ay mayroon namang mga local producers para makatulong din sa ekonomiya ng LGU.
“At kailangan din po ang LGU, sapagkat siya ang magbibigay ng security at magme-maintain ng peace and order. Hindi po kaya ng organizer ang mangasiwa ng maraming tao kapag nagdagsaan na ang mga tao,” he said.
Sec. Año said there must also be a system where beneficiaries who cannot leave their homes still receive goods from the community pantry.
“Ang gusto po natin dito ay talagang localized ito, na kung saang barangay gagawin, doon lang magbabandilyo at hindi na kailangang may mga taong dadagsa galing sa ibang lugar kaya kailangan ay… umiikot itong ating community pantry,” he explained.
Año then emphasized that everyone must respect each other’s rights. He also said there should be no posters, images, or signages with the names of the pantry’s organizers or politicians placed in the area.
“At hindi po natin papayagan na magkakaroon ng ‘epal’ o tinatawag nating maglalagay ng anumang signage, billboards, posters bearing pictures, pangalan, initials, o images ng mga tao na nagsasagawa ng community pantry, lalo na po ang mga politicians na gustong pumapel dito sa community pantry,“ he said. -jlo
