My daughter and I had our booster shot last December. We are thankful we were able to do our little part to help curb the spread of the virus in the community.
Even if we are vaccinated already, health experts still remind the public to observe the minimum public health standards: frequent hand washing, wearing face masks, practicing social distancing in public or crowded places, and getting yourself vaccinated.
Let’s protect our loved ones and other people the same way we protect ourselves. 
With the increasing cases of Covid-19 and the threat of the Omicron variant from spreading, the Department of Health strongly reminds the public to remain cautious against Covid-19 even when they are fully vaccinated. While symptoms may be mild for the fully vaccinated, the disease could be severe for the unvaccinated, especially for senior citizens and those who have other underlying medical conditions.
For now, the government is also ensuring that the country has enough beds and facilities to respond to both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 cases. But crucial to this is also having FEWER PEOPLE WHO WILL NEED THOSE HOSPITAL BEDS, and we, as individuals, have control over choosing safe activities.
The simple choices or actions we make – properly wearing face masks, frequent hand washing, avoiding crowded places, immediately isolating when presenting symptoms of COVID-19, ensuring proper ventilation in indoor settings, choosing to get vaccinated, and boosted – have a collective impact on the country’s case trends. These are just some of the many things we can do that will keep us and our loved ones safe from COVID-19. Let us always choose what is safe and healthy.
On May 28, 2021, sixteen (16) Safety Pantries have been launched simultaneously, by the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) in different locations, as part of the International Day of Action for Women’s Health.
As the Covid19 pandemic continues to affect the lives of Filipinos, FPOP recognizes that people’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights should be unhampered. The organization aims to extend sexual and reproductive health services and commodities, and other necessities through the FPOP Safety Pantry.
On the Safety Pantry tables, vitamins, condoms, lubes, contraceptive pills, alcohol wipes, sanitary napkins, malunggay supplements (capsule), baby dresses, diapers, and pregnancy and hygiene kits are available. People can also take home biscuits, rice, vegetables, canned goods, noodles, and even face shields and masks. Services on family planning, sexual and gender-based violence prevention, HIV testing and counseling, Hepatitis B screening, implant and IUD insertion, cervical cancer screening, and pre-natal check-up are also available. Standard safety protocols against Covid-19 were observed in the Safety Pantry sites located in:
1. Barangay 32, Tondo, Manila
2. Barangay Silangan, Quezon City
3. Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City
4. Baguio Public Market
5. T. Alonzo Street in Baguio City
6. Barangay Panamitan, Kawit in Cavite
7. Barangay Sta. Cruz, Naga in Camarines Sur
8. Sorsogon City
9. Arakan in North Cotabato
10.Barangay Dadiangas in General Santos City
11. Barangay Maimpis in Pampanga
12. Barangay Poblacion, Alaminos in Pangasinan
13. Surigao City
14. Davao City
15. Iloilo City
16. Masbate City
Inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry, the items given away came from various donors who support the advocacy the organization pursues. Building on the same idea, FPOP opted to name the initiative Safety Pantry as the word “safety” connotes a message of comfort and is safe and protected against sexually transmitted infection, HIV, unintended pregnancy, and sexual and gender-based violence.
The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) is a service-oriented organization providing sexual and reproductive health services to all Filipinos. It has 12 active organization chapters with 17 Community Health Care Clinics offering an integrated package of essential services on family planning and reproductive health.
FPOP is one of the oldest and biggest volunteer organizations in the Philippines. It was founded on August 4, 1969, out of a merger of two organizations that pioneered the family planning movement in the Philippines. It is a member association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
Aside from various community activities such as the Safety Pantry, adolescent learning sessions, house-to-house outreach, and reproductive health medical missions, FPOP also provides free online consultation and other SRH services through their hotline called FPOP youRHotline. It can be reached on Facebook: www.facebook.com/yourhotline.ph or mobile number: 0998-988-8826, 8 AM to 10 PM daily.
FPOP Safety Pantry Facebook Live Links:
North Cotabato https://www.facebook.com/ranny.labiaga/videos/3908005145934432/
Cavite https://fb.watch/5M7MSUUoQp/
General Santos City https://www.facebook.com/FPOPSOCCSKSARGENChapter/videos/524482665583544/https://www.facebook.com/FPOPSOCCSKSARGENChapter/videos/2243189549195048/
Surigao
https://www.facebook.com/fpopsurigao1969/videos/1146591945812218/
Brgy. Silangan, QC
https://www.facebook.com/famplan.ph/videos/1411139825932214/