By NG Seruela and Alec Go
Authorities reminded the public to avoid politicking and using community pantries for personal interests as this undermines the sense of bayanihan among Filipinos.
This followed after some individuals distributed flyers at a community pantry, allegedly inviting the beneficiaries to join an upcoming rally on May 1 to call for the ouster of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a News 5 report on Tuesday (April 20), the flyers were handed out with pamphlets containing information about Covid-19. The flyers reportedly included calls for free mass testing and an end to alleged militarized lockdowns.
The report added that the individuals lining up for relief goods were asked to sign a petition asking the government to raise the amount of financial aid given to the public.
A militant group explained that they are not hiding behind community pantries to spread their beliefs, saying that the two activities are separately conducted.
During the Laging Handa Public Briefing today, Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Ronaldo Olay clarified that no directives were issued to profile individuals involved in the organization of pantries. Police personnel who do otherwise will be investigated.
“Huwag naman itong abusuhin o sakyan ng ibang mga grupo. Sa amin ay kung in the spirit of bayanihan ay talagang nagbibigay sila ng ayuda at walang ibang kulay, walang masama roon,” Olay said.
[Other groups should not take advantage of this situation. For us, as long as they are giving aid in the spirit of bayanihan without any ill intention, there nothing wrong with that.]
On the other hand, several posts have circulated on social media showing that some elected officials established community pantries with their names all plastered over the site, in advance of the start of campaign season.
Government lauds bayanihan spirit of pantries
Meanwhile, authorities have lauded the initiative of Filipinos to create community pantries nationwide, despite the alleged use of some pantries for purposes not related to bayanihan.
The community pantry initiative has created ripples all over the country. Many officials expressed their support of the “selfless acts” behind most of the pantries, amid the current crisis brought about by the pandemic.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday (April 20) that even President Duterte “welcomes” the initiative.
“The President welcomes all initiatives na makakatulong sa ating kababayan habang tayo’y nasa pandemya… Dapat walang maghahadlang sa mga efforts na nagbabayanihan ang ating mga kababayan.”
[The President welcomes all initiatives that will help our citizens during the pandemic… There should be no hindrance to the bayanihan efforts of our people.]
Roque said community pantries that followed the example of the Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City, the first such in this recent trend, should be allowed to conduct their operations as long as health protocols are observed.
“I think the President has spoken through my office, the DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government] has spoken, and unless their concern is about health protocols not being observed, they should let these community pantries alone.”
“Sa tingin ko kahit anong sabihin nila, basta nakikinabang ang taumbayan diyan, maniniwala pa rin ang mga kababayan natin sa community pantries,” he added.
[In my view, what others say (don’t matter); as long as the people benefit from them, the people will trust community pantries.]
For his part, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said that “as long as the intention is good and without political color, it should be encouraged and supported.” – jlo
