Community pantries need no permit - MM mayors
Metro Manila mayors are one in saying that “good deeds need no permit.”
Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Vico Sotto, two of the popular local executives in the metropolis, are supporting the installation of community pantries in their respective cities, while Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte slammed the statement made by another government official that it is being used by le -leaning groups.
This came after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said organizers of community pantries should “consult with the concerned barangays” if such is required.
Helping and offering kindness to their fellow citizens, according to Moreno, is very much welcome in the capital city of Manila.
“We don’t require permit, good deeds need no permit,” said Moreno as he expressed his gratitude to community pantry organizers.
The local chief executive also said that this act of giving will further inspire the city government’s food security program.
Sotto likewise lauded individuals who have already opened their own community pantries.
“Para sa mga nagtatanong, hindi kailangan ng permit. Wala po tayong ‘Permit to Help’,” he posted on Twitter. “We commend the individuals who are helping as they can afford. Government has limited resources, so any effort to help others is very welcome.”
Caloocan City Mayor Oca Malapitan and Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian also supported the initiatives of several charitable individuals and groups, saying they are greatly helping those who are in need of basic foods.
“Just set it up...if somebody gives you trouble let me know... ako bahala sa kanila...” Gatchalian said in a Twitter post. “In Valenzuela, the community pitching in to be part of the solution is most welcomed,” he added.
Malapitan, for his part, said the local government is willing to provide support to anyone leading community pantries to ensure compliance with the health protocols.
“Ang pagtulong at pagbabayanihan ay hindi nangangailangan ng anumang permit,” he added.
Belmonte readily agreed, saying: “No permit is necessary.”
She said permits are only necessary if an individual is selling something.
Belmonte also decried the statement made by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) alleging that community pantries have links with the communists.
Belmonte said that “helping your fellow men” and “doing Christian duties” are far from “overthrowing the government.”
Belmonte’s statement came after NTF-ECLAC spokesperson Lorraine Badoy claimed that some community pantries, particularly those that were recently covered by the media, are being exploited by the communists to make people believe the government is “inutile.”
“And in fact, nagugulat ako na meron silang ganitong statement kasi the ELCAC has been working with the local government and the barangays,” she added.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora as wells as the local government of Muntinlupa City also said there is no need for a permit to operate community pantries in their areas as long as all minimum health standards and protocols are being followed for the safety of everyone. (Andrea Kate Aro, Jel Santos, Joseph Pedrajas, Noreen Jazul, Jonathan Hicap, Patrick Ely Garcia)