The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) appealed to community pantry organizers to find ways to distribute food to senior citizens at the comforts of their homes.
“Nakikiusap kami sa mga community pantry organizers na maghanap po tayo ng paraan para hindi na po natin kailangan papilahin yung matatanda, maghanap po tayo ng paraan gaya ng ipadaan na lang sa barangay para yung barangay na lang ang magbahay-bahay at ibigay na lang yung tulong through a safer and more effective way,” Malaya said.
(We are appealing to community pantry organizers to look for ways to reach senior citizens so that they will not have to go out. Perhaps they can course the aid to barangay officials.)
DILG urges community pantries to give food to seniors in their homes
Malaya made the appeal after a 67-year-old man fainted and died while lining up at the community pantry organized by actress Angel Locsin.
Senior citizen Rolando dela Cruz was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital, Friday, after fainting in Angel Locsin’s community pantry.
Angel explained on her Instagram that the gathering started well but the overcrowding made social distancing impossible. She also apologized and took full responsibility of the incident.
Malaya said that DILG chief Eduardo Año has issued two guidelines for organizers to follow: one is to coordinate with barangay officials and another is to ensure that those who will fall in line are residents of the community where the pantry is located.
“Kung tayo ay mag-iimbita o manghihikayat ng mga tagalabas ng inyong bayan… magkakaroon tayo ng problema niyan [If you will invite those from other towns then we’ll have a problem],” he said.
“Mas maganda na ilimita natin sa ating mga kapitbahay, mga kasama sa kalsada at sa komunidad lang [It’s better if we’d limit the operations to our neighbors and community],” Malaya added.
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