Community Effort

Community Pantries: Community Effort amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Philippines is still in a strict lockdown for more than a year now. Community pantries popped up at different places in the country. It shows Filipino’s unity to help their fellowmen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19

This newest type of “Bayanihan” was started along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City. Its purpose is to provide free commodities for people who can’t afford to buy during these trying times. The idea came from Ms. Ana Patricia Non, reminding people to get only what they need for others who need aids too.

The concept filled Social Media with hopes and inspiration. Now, community pantries are sprouting all over the country. Many people who can give have opened theirs not only in Metro Manila but also in some provinces (Luzon, Bicol Region, and Mindanao).

On Sunday, Ms. Lucia Silva of Iligan City launched her community pantry where several residents lost their jobs. She also urged donors to just drop “Halal” food since the majority of people there are Muslims.

Good deeds are more contagious than the virus!

On the other hand, a lot of people say that this act is also a manifestation of the Duterte Administration’s bad response to the Coronavirus. Senator Panfilo Lacson praised the initiative, but this shows that people are now helping each other without relying on the Philippine government.

“It is good that through the community pantries, we see mutual aid by neighbors and barangay residents. But this is also a sign of desperation, that people can no longer rely on government to help them,” said Lacson in an interview with DZBB.

The reason why community pantries arose is to assist those who are greatly affected by the lockdown. Moreover, it is also political. Think why this is all happening.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, company, government officials, individual, or anyone or anything.