DILG Gives Detailed Guidelines for Community Pantries
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As the number of community pantries rise, guidelines were set by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to prevent damage amd harm to individuals who take part in this movement, including the safety of every individual participating in the cause. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año announced in President Duterte’s briefing last April 28 that Local Government Units (LGUs) should determine if a pantry is in a district, sitio, or barangay to help identify the people living within the area.
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Permits are not necessarily needed as long as there is proper coordination with the LGU of the certain community pantry, since they will be the one assigning safety protocol officers that can help them facilitate the crowds. Solicitation of fees are also prohibited, along with distribution of cigarettes, liquors, and other illegal items. While this Bayanihan spirit is still growing, people from all over the Philippines are finding their own ways to donate and even start their own pantry.
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As of writing, there is an estimated total of 80 community pantries in Metro Manila and more than 300 across the country. Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of San Agustin will be able to effectively help and move forward this 2021.
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Home Vaccination Service for Barangays in Taguig
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This COVID-19 pandemic is an on-going battle. As one of the highly urbanized cities of the Philippines, the Taguig local government is finding more ways to effectively vaccinate those in need of urgent care. The local government of Taguig encourages its 28 barangays to register on its Home Service Vaccination Program that rolled out on April 19, Monday.
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This program aims to safely inoculate high-risk patients such as bedridden persons, senior citizens, and those who have underlying medical conditions. To those who would like to register for the home service vaccination, you may proceed to register at trace.taguig. gov.ph., and get a QR code. Afterwards, get a medical clearance from your doctor, and then call or text the Home Vaccination Hotline at 09617044291, or contact the designated telephone numbers of Taguig Telemedicine in the 31 barangay health centers and the city’s COVID-19 Hotline; Telephone: 8-789-3200, Mobile: 0966-419-4510. A confirmation message will be sent to you along with the confirmation of your home vaccination schedule. To know more about this program, visit www.taguig.gov.ph.
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Barangay Pharmacy of Barangay Ermitaño, San Juan City
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Barangay Ermitaño of San Juan City continues to serve its people through the thoughtful projects they have been conducting in the recent years. In July 2019, they opened their Botika ng Barangay Ermitaño: “Gamot na Mabisa, Libre para sa Masa.” This pharmacy specifically gives out free vitamins, emergency or maintenance medicines, and medical supplies to the residents of the barangay.
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All you have to do to in order to receive these benefits is to present your Botika ng Barangay Card, along with the prescription of your doctor. For those who lost or do not have their ID, you can easily apply at Barangay Ermitano’s Health Center. Bring a valid ID, (San Juan Health Card, Senior Citizens ID, PWD ID, Voter’s ID ,or Barangay ID); a 2x2 ID picture; and the latest prescription from your doctor.
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As stated in their Facebook page, they will only give out medicines to those who have valid medical prescription to avoid self-treatment. All of the available medicines and vitamins are posted on their Facebook page at Barangay Ermitaño Official. In addition to this, they also launched the Ermitaño free store (EFS) on March 26, 2021. The store will cater to marginalized families living in the barangay. Though it is not entirely free to everyone, they allow the people to render community service such as street sweeping, cleaning up yards, attending village meetings, and participating in other village activities, in exchange for free grocery items. This allows the townspeople to get involved with their LGU, as well as give back to their community.
