National Task Force against Covid-19 (NTF) Medical Adviser Dr. Teodoro Herbosa clarified that he is not against community pantries, after recently tweeting critically about a pantry initiative.
In today’s (April 26) Laging Handa public briefing, Dr. Herbosa said he received “thousands of hate messages” after he tweeted “Death by ‘community pantry.’ I told you so!” following news of a senior citizen who died while waiting for his turn at a community pantry set up by an actress last week.
He explained that the context of his tweet is to remind the public that the bayanihan initiative can be done without endangering one’s life.
“Ang konteksto ng sinabi ko ay bilang eksperto ng disaster medicine, kasi pwede namang magbigay ng tulong, pero huwag ilagay sa kapahamakan ang mga mamamayan.”
He stressed the importance of the principle of ‘Safety first.’
“Kung gagawa tayo niyan, pangalagaan natin ang kapakanan ng ating mahihirap at nagugutom at gusto lamang makakuha ng ayuda.”
Herboso suggested that the humanitarian effort can also be done through house-to-house or a “rolling store” that will travel around the community. He pointed out that mass gathering cannot be avoided if a community pantry is set up in one area.
He added that it is better to coordinate with the local government unit concerned to lay out health protocols for the safety of the public.
“Wala dapat mamatay kung gumagawa tayo ng pagtulong o ‘yung kawang gawa.”
Report from Kenneth Paciente/NGS-jlo
