Año urges community pantry organizers to seek LGU, police support

By Prince Golez

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday encouraged organizers of community pantries to coordinate with the local government unit (LGUs) and the Philippine National Police to ensure the smooth distribution of goods.

While he encouraged communities to help each other during these challenging times, Año stressed the importance of complying with quarantine protocols to prevent untoward accidents and the possible spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“Ini-encourage natin ‘yan dahil yan ay isang bayanihan spirit at kultura na yan para ma share mo naman yung blessings,” the secretary said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

“Pero, kailangan, ang panuntunan natin, unang-una, dapat meron kang coordination sa LGU, particularly, sa barangay kung saan gaganapin ang community pantry para makaktulong ang barangay officials sa pagpapatupad ng minimum health standards and protocols kasi nasa pandemic pa tayo,” according to him.

“Nakapagbigay ka nga ng pagkain pero nagkaroon naman ng surge or outbreak or transmission. Importante yung coordination para maiwasan yung mga naganap na nakaraan na meron pang nasawi at meron pang na ospital,” he added.

Año said law enforcers will only step in should there be violations of current health protocols and anti-government activities during the initiative.

“Kung nagkakaroon na ng violations sa minimum health standards and protocols, puwede nang pumasok ‘yung law enforcement, at kung halimbawa rin merong mga ibang activity katulad ng pamimigay ng anti-government leaflets and posters, kailangan pumasok na ang law enforcement dito,” he added.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)