Personalities and Netizens disapproved of how the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) encouraged community pantry organizers to help in distributing the relief goods for the public.

On Monday, April 26, DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya encouraged the pantry organizers to find ways in reaching out to senior citizens following the incident during Angel Locsin’s birthday-cum-community pantry that resulted in the death of one Rolando Dela Cruz, an elderly.

“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 during an interview with GMA Network’s Unang Hirit.

The spokesperson also noted that under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), elderly people are not supposed to go out. Hence, the need in conducting house-to-house tours is essential, with the coordination of barangay officials, of course.

The call from the DILG, however, was unacceptable for personalities and Netizens over twitter, particularly coming from a defeatist such as Malaya.

President Duterte’s niece, Nuelle Duterte criticized DILG for passing its responsibility to community pantries. She stressed that it is the Government’s job to hand out ‘ayuda’ and conduct house-to-house tours, not the community pantry organizers.

TV host Kiko Rustia scrutinized the DILG for seeking help from ordinary citizens in disseminating Government assistance or ayuda. Rustia also pointed that it is the responsibility of the Administration to handle such task and not the public.

Twitter personality Philip Jamilla also questioned why Malaya was asking ordinary people to hand out the ‘ayuda’ since it should be the duty of the DILG in the first place.

Former health adviser Dr. Tony Leachon pointed what the DILG needs to do is to have a sense of urgency in distributing the Government assistance amid the pandemic. He added that people are suffering and dying.

With DILG supposedly passing its job to ordinary citizens, twitter personality Kristoffer Pasion encouraged the Government to work double-time besides the taxpayers do deserve such service.

Even journalists took a swipe at the DILG for its inability to carry out its task—which during this situation—distribute the ‘ayuda.’

https://twitter.com/AltMAdrianPuse/status/1386639242885885957

https://twitter.com/RegineCabato/status/1386597336441245700

Artist Teta Limcangco noted that the DILG encouraging community pantries to have their operations run through the barangays defeats the purpose of setting up such initiatives to help those in need. Also, the artist does not trust the LGUs in heading such efforts since they cannot even handle the distribution of ‘ayudas’.

The extension of MECQ in the National Capital Region will until the end of April. Those below 18 and above 65 are prohibited outside. Pregnant women and those with health risks are to stay indoors, except for getting essential goods and services. Workers of permitted industries under the MECQ are only allowed to report to their respective workplaces.