Community pantry organizers urged to deliver goods to senior citizens

LEYTE. Police units across Eastern Visayas roll out their own community pantry dubbed as "PNP Barangayanihan" to help those who are struggling financially during this Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of PRO-Eastern Visayas)
LEYTE. Police units across Eastern Visayas roll out their own community pantry dubbed as "PNP Barangayanihan" to help those who are struggling financially during this Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of PRO-Eastern Visayas)

FOLLOWING the death of a senior citizen while queueing for free food supplies, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday, April 26, 2021, urged community pantry organizers to deliver the food supplies to senior citizens in their homes.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said organizers may ask barangay officials to deliver the free goods to the senior citizens.

”Nakikiusap kami sa mga community pantry organizers na maghanap po tayo ng paraan para hindi na po natin kailangan papilahin yung matatanda, maghanap po tayo ng paraan gaya ng ipadaan na lang sa barangay para ‘yung barangay na lang ang magbahay-bahay at ibigay na lang yung tulong through a safer and more effective way," Malaya said in an interview.

A 67-year-old balut vendor collapsed while waiting in line for his turn to receive free food supplies from the community pantry established by actress Angel Locsin in Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City on Friday, April 23. He was declared dead at a hospital.

His death had prompted DILG Secretary Eduardo Año to issue guidelines on community pantries, which sprouted in various parts of Metro Manila and the rest of the country following the initiative of Ana Patricia Non on Maginhawa St. in Quezon City.

Año said organizers should coordinate with barangay officials and ensure that only residents of the pantry’s host community will avail themselves of the free commodities.

"Kung tayo ay mag-iimbita o manghihikayat ng mga tagalabas ng inyong bayan... magkakaroon tayo ng problema niyan," said Malaya.

"Mas maganda na ilimita natin sa ating mga kapitbahay, mga kasama sa kalsada at sa komunidad lang," he added.

Due to the prevailing modified enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region (NCR), persons under 18 and over 65 as well as pregnant women and those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks are not allowed to go outside their residences except for obtaining essential goods and services, or for work in industries and offices or such other activities permitted under MECQ. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)

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