MANILA, Philippines — Civil society leaders have called on President Rodrigo Duterte to convene Congress in a special session to tackle new measures to provide low-income families with social aid in light of his criticism of community pantries.
According to a statement from former officials and academe leaders forwarded by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Duterte should consider the community pantries as the Filipinos’ way to cope with growing poverty amid the lockdowns due to COVID-19.
A portion of Duterte’s Monday night briefing appeared to be a jab at community pantry organizers for allegedly encouraging mass gathering for free food, which goes against health protocols….
Keep on reading: As Duterte slams pantries, civil society wants special Congress session on aid