Duterte salutes community pantry initiators but...

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he salutes individuals operating community pantries but underscores the compliance on COVID-19 safety measures during the activity.

Last April, several community pantries were established to provide basic goods to those grappling with the pandemic.

Duterte insists that the pantry services should follow basic health protocols to avoid overcrowding which will cause risk in transmission.

"Wala man question itong pantry scheme. As a matter of fact I salute the people behind this and those who originated it. Nagkulang sila and maybe they are ignorant of the prohibition imposed by law not by me," Duterte said during his weekly Talk to the Nation.

"Hindi siguro niyo nabasa pero sa totohanan lang, if it is a matter of assessing whether or not you are doing good you are doing super good. Saludo ako at maganda ang konsensya ninyo sa tao ninyo but  please read the restrictions first," he added.

Ana Patricia Non, who first put up the well-known Maginhawa Pantry, and other initiators received praise from lawmakers over their Bayanihan and solidarity among Filipinos amid the pandemic.

According to the House resolution, over 6,000 community pantries were set up all over the country.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government previously advised pantry organizers to look for other ways to reach senior citizens and other vulnerable sectors to avoid long lines and mass gathering. -- BAP, GMA News