‘Epal’ politicians banned in community pantries —Año

Politicians and organizers are not allowed to put up their names, logos or signages on community pantries that popped up to help those highly-affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Thursday.

During President Rodrigo Duterte's Talk to the Nation, Año said politicians should not taint the initiatives of concerned citizens.

"Hindi po natin papayagan na epal o tinatawag nating signage, billboards, posters, pictures, o images ng tao na nagsasagawa ng community pantry lalo na po ang  mga politicians na gustong pumapel dito sa community pantry," said Año.

(We won't allow these signages, billboards, posters, pictures and images of people setting up these pantries especially politicians.)

Año made the remark as the Department of the Interior and Local Government announced its rules for the pantries:

• LGUs must not require permits as it might cause additional burden to organizers
• There must be coordination with local government units (LGUs)
• Illegal items such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes not allowed

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• Community pantry will be closed if health protocols are violated
• Additional fees should not be collected from pantry organizers

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte said community pantries must start at barangay-level, adding that physical distancing must still be enforced.

He later on criticized those being "ignorant" about health rules that stop transmission of the virus, whom he did not identify.

"Let's start with the basic political unit it is really the barangay, sitio, sitio then purok. Kapag naglinya sila not so much, then you say you are next.  Walang isip mga g---- yan e. What they can show to the people they care but they don't really care because of their ignorance," said Duterte.

Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City began to decentralize its pantries to various barangays to avoid incidents of long lines that could increase the risk of virus transmission.  

The Department of Health also asked local government units to help community pantries in observing health rules to prevent the community transmission of the disease.—LDF, GMA News