Permits not required for community pantries in Navotas, says mayor

Residents planning to set up community pantries in Navotas are not required to secure a permit from the local government to donate food for those severely affected by the strict lockdown, Mayor Toby Tiangco said on Wednesday.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said pantry organizers do not need to get permits but they must still coordinate with the local government units concerned. 

"We are very grateful to our fellow Navoteños who set up their respective community pantries to help others. You do not need to ask for a permit from our city government. In these difficult times, we welcome your help. Please stay safe!" Tiangco said in Filipino on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan also assured organizers that they will not stop their operations and will not require special permits.

"Kung kailangan ng assistance para mapanatili ang social distancing, maaaring ipagbigay-alam sa ating barangay para matulungan, ngunit hindi kailangan ng permit," he said on Facebook, discussing how he allows operations of community pantries in their locality.

(If they need to maintain social distancing in their areas, they can ask help from our village chiefs, but they do not need permits.)

Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso also did not require permits for community pantries  that sprouted in their cities.

Año issued a clarification following Interior Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño's earlier statement that LGUs should issue permits for community pantries given the threat of COVID-19 infections.

Some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were highly criticized after they reportedly conducted profiling and red-tagging of pantry owners. But PNP already denied that there was a directive to profile organizers.

This also led to the temporary closure of Maginhawa Community Pantry, which inspired other donors to start their own pantries in the neighborhood.  The pantry opened anew on Wednesday, April 21. —Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News