‘Good deeds need no permit’
As the community pantry initiative continues to spread around the country, mayors in NCR Plus have expressed their support for the effort.
In Manila, Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has instructed P/Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco not to arrest those organizing the pantries in the city, saying “good deeds need no permit.”
“We don’t require a permit. Good deeds need no permit. I thank God that in the midst of the difficulty everyone is experiencing because of the pandemic, there is love and concern for our neighbors. We will use this as inspiration to further improve the services of the city government, especially the Food Security Program. Thanks to all the citizens who are doing good to others. I hope we all stay this way, so that no one will give up. We can do this and, with God’s mercy, we can all survive,” Domagoso said.
Meanwhile, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto lauded the organizers of community pantries in his city.
It is now a policy in Manila — that there is no need for a permit to voluntarily do good deeds, whether someone is watching or not.
“Some community pantries have sprung up in Pasig (more than 30 by my unofficial count),” Sotto said in his Facebook post. “We commend the individuals who are helping as they can afford. Government has limited resources, so any effort to help others is very welcome.”
He stressed there is no need to secure a permit from the local government to set up a community pantry as long as health and safety protocols are being followed and observed.
“For those asking, a permit is not required to do this. We don’t have a permit to help,” he said.
Likewise, Antipolo City Mayor Andrea “Andeng” Ynares likewise stressed there is no need to secure a permit to set up a community pantry.
However, Ynares reminded organizers and those lining up at community pantries to follow proper health protocols to prevent community transmission of the coronavirus.
“To those who want to put up and start community pantries, let’s just follow health protocols. There is no need to get any permit from city hall. Helping is not a crime,” Ynares said in a Facebook post.
Caloocan City Mayor Oca Malapitan echoed the same sentiment.
“We should give gratitude and support to those behind the community pantries in the city. If assistance is needed to maintain social distancing, our barangay can be notified to help, but a permit is not required. Helping and bayanihan do not require any permit,” Malapitan said.
Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco expressed gratefulness for Navoteños who have also set up their respective community pantries.
“In times of difficulty, all those who help those in need are very, very welcome,” Tiangco said.
To date, Navotas has distributed 8,666 relief packs to residents.
Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian said special permits are not needed of city residents who are willing to help their neighbors.
He stressed minimum health standards are followed and social distancing are observed at all times
“Also, no minors and not within curfew hours. Just set it up. If somebody gives you trouble, let me know. I’ll take care of them,” Gatchalian said.
Malabon City Mayor Lenlen Oreta said those behind the community pantries have good intentions to help others. Thus, there is no need to get a permit.
He just asked his constituents to follow the minimum health protocols to prevent getting infected with the Covid-19 virus.
The Mandaluyong City government said community pantries are welcome to operate in the city even without a permit from local officials.
However, Mayor Menchie Abalos said organizers should coordinate with their respective barangays to choose the best location and ensure there is no obstruction.
The Manila mayor lauded businesswoman Ann Patricia Non, whose Maginhawa community pantry went viral and kickstarted similar ones elsewhere in the country, as he commended Manila residents who followed suit, pointing out this had already existed on P. Noval Street in Sampaloc.
He said he sent a text message to Francisco and asked him to inform all stations and precincts in the city not to arrest and even secure those who would put up similar community food pantries in the city.
We will use this as inspiration to further improve the services of the city government, especially the Food Security Program.
“No one will be arrested. In fact, we encourage bayanihan, a custom of Filipinos that is unique from the rest of the world due to voluntariness. It is now a policy in Manila — that there is no need for a permit to voluntarily do good deeds, whether someone is watching or not,” Domagoso explained.
Some barangays in Sampaloc, Manila have already started a similar community pantry during the first quarter of the pandemic when a “barangay kitchen” was established where the community shares ingredients to prepare hot meals for those in need.
The barangay kitchen concept was created by tenants of Tuason Estate in Loreto, Sampaloc so that residents in the neighborhood would be provided with cooked food once a week.