By Alec Go and NG Seruela
The bayanihan spirit of Filipinos never fails to amaze especially in times of crisis. Many have been moved by the initiative of some Filipinos to create community pantries, the first of which was set up in Maginhawa St., Quezon City (QC).
The community pantry is an initiative where residents can give and receive various donations such as food, vegetables, fruits, and basic commodities. A domino effect was created after the first community pantry went viral on social media, inspiring others to emulate it.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the desire of Filipinos to help their own countrymen has intensified as the Philippines continue its war against the viral disease. The community pantry is a great example of modern-day bayanihan [communal unity].
In all of the community pantries established, there is one rule fueling the initiative, and that is to “give what you can, take what you need.”
Here are some community pantries that have been established around the country:
- Maginhawa, QC
2. Intramuros, Manila
3. P. Noval, Manila
4. Batangas
5. “Pantry Bike” in Bugallon, Pangasinan
6. Sampaloc, Manila
7. Socorro Community Pantry, Quezon City
8. Muntinlupa Community Pantry, Jaysons Building, #12 National Road, Putatan
9. TulongAnakpawis Community Pantry in C.P. Garcia, Quezon City
10. Project Pay it Forward Community Pantry, Gov. Pascual, Barangay Baritan, Malabon City
11. Legarda Community Pantry, 8 M.H. Del Pilar, Burnham-Legarda Road, Baguio City
12. Lucena Community Pantry, Diversion Road, ISBB Gate 1, Brgy. Ilayang-Dupay, Lucena City
13. PAWS Community Pantry, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
14. Saint Padre Pio Mission Area Community Pantry, Bagumbong, Caloocan
15. Road 3 – Project 6 Community Pantry, Quezon City
16. Sulyap ng Pag-asa Community Pantry, Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City
17. Our Lady of Fatima Parish Villaverde – Diocese of Bayombong, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya
18. San Juan, La Union
19. Zamboanga Community Pantry, Barangay Culianan, Zamboanga City
20. Ifugao Good Samaritan Pantry, Lagawe and Kiangan, Ifugao
And the list goes on…
Since the emergence of community pantries over the past week in Metro Manila, many areas in other regions have followed suit with one common goal — social solidarity. Individuals are expected to visit pantry sites one at a time, and organizers have strived to ensure that social distancing measures are followed.
On Tuesday (April 20), Malacañang and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) welcomed the initiative of Filipinos and their “selfless acts” amid the current crisis brought about by the pandemic.
“As long as the intention is good and without political color, it should be encouraged and supported. Since this is a purely voluntary and private initiative, we should not interfere except to ensure that minimum health standards are complied with,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.
Año also clarified that the police are not ordered to look into community pantries unless there are violations or complaints from communities.
“The President has spoken through my office. The DILG has spoken. Unless their concern is about health protocols not being observed, they should leave these community pantries alone,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
“The President welcomes all initiatives na makakatulong sa ating kababayan habang tayo’y nasa pandemya… Dapat walang maghahadlang sa mga efforts na nagbabayanihan ang ating mga kababayan,” he added.
[The President welcomes all initiatives that will help our citizens during the pandemic… There should be no hindrance to the bayanihan efforts of our people.]
In these troubling times, the community pantry has presented hope and inspiration to many Filipinos. It is truly a modern-day bayanihan. – jlo
