Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday called on the public to stop politicizing charitable activities, such as the establishment of community pantries.

In a press statement, he said Filipinos who intend to help those affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic should be appreciated rather than get criticized for their laudable initiative.

“Huwag nating haluan ng kulay ang mga inisyatibo ng iilan na nais tumulong sa kapwa nilang Pilipino. Iisa lang naman ang hangarin nating lahat at iyan ay ang maiahon ang buong bansa mula sa krisis na ito (Let us not politicize the initiatives of people who want to help their fellow Filipinos. We only have one intention and that is to help the country recover from this crisis),” Go said.

He said the setting up of community pantries should be welcomed as it keeps the Filipinos’ bayanihan (teamwork) spirit alive.

“Walang kulay, walang pinipili, at walang pulitika dapat ang pagtulong. Welcome po lahat ‘yan. Kahit anumang kulay – pula, puti, dilaw, asul – lahat ‘yan ay may parte sa bayanihan (Helping others should be done without political color and politicking. That is welcome. Any political color – red, white, yellow, or blue – has a role in keeping the bayanihan alive),” he said.

Promote ‘culture of inclusivity’

Go also called for the promotion of the “culture of inclusivity” in the country to help Filipinos survive the pandemic.

Instead of giving political color to the setting up of community pantries, the public should support their fellow Filipinos who want to assist those in need.

“Let us continue to promote a culture of inclusivity and empower our people to participate in our collective efforts to overcome this crisis,” he said.

Go also acknowledged that the government needs public cooperation to defeat Covid-19.

“Bawat isa sa atin ay may ginagampanang papel sa laban kontra Covid-19. Bagama’t ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat upang mapagaan ang hirap na pinapasan ng ating mga kababayan, tandaan din natin na hindi ito laban ng gobyerno lamang. Laban ito ng buong sambayanang Pilipino at ng buong mundo (Each one of us has a role in the fight against Covid-19. While the government is doing its best to ease the plight of our countrymen, remember that it is not just the government’s fight. It is the Filipinos’ and the entire world’s fight),” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte welcomes all initiatives helping Filipinos affected by the pandemic, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual presser on Tuesday.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson and Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy said the task force welcomes public-initiated pantries that show Filipino ‘bayanihan” but appealed to the communist movement to stop its “modus operandi” amid the pandemic by making Filipinos believe that the government is “inutile.” (PNA)