Palace On Community Pantries: Bayanihan, Not Gov’t Condemnation

Malacañang expressed belief on Monday, April 19, that the setting up of community pantries in various parts of the country is not a condemnation of the government but a showcase of “the best in the Filipino character.”

“The community pantry represents the best in the Filipino. I don’t think anyone can claim to be a founder of that. I think this is a spontaneous movement amongst Filipinos. It’s part of our psyche to help one another in times of need,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said, disputing claims that Filipinos are looking after each other because of the “absence” of the government.

“So, I don’t see that as a condemnation of government. It simply shows the best in us during the worst of times,” Roque insisted.

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire called on local government units (LGUs) to enforce minimum public health standards in community pantries.

“We hope our LGUs can advise them on how to be more organized. There is no need to stop what they are doing because I think it will help the physical wellness and mental wellness of people,” Vergeire noted.

Catholic Church’s encouragement

Archdiocese of Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo also encouraged priests to set up their own community pantries to spread the spirit of bayanihan.

“Here in Manila, I am encouraging the priests, our parishes through the BECs (basic ecclesial communities) to be part of this kind of initiative. It is a good way of spreading this bayanihan among us,” Pabillo said.

For Caritas Philippines, the community pantry is the most Christian response to the pandemic.

“We are very happy and thankful that our communities never cease to bring out the innate generosity, kindness and compassion in everyone even at a time when poverty is most visible,” Caritas national director Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said.

Since April 14, at least 79 community pantries have been set up across the country.

Community PAW-ntry

Mindful that pets also need assistance, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) set up its own “Community PAW-ntry.”

“Inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry, PAWS has put up its own table outside the PAWS gate today. We have short supply of cat food so we are just putting out whatever extra we have for pet owners in need,” PAWS said in a Facebook post.

PAWS also encouraged other pet owners to put up their own Community PAW-ntry to help others.

Public effort

Several senators have lauded the emergence of community pantries as the public’s way to address hunger during the pandemic.

“We salute our countrymen who volunteer to help. As we see strangers helping strangers during these hard times, we are reminded that Filipinos’ bayanihan spirit is very much alive and that a simple act of kindness goes a long way,” Sen. Leila de Lima said.

“We can fight hunger and the pandemic in any way we can for our families. The emergence of community pantries is also proof that bayanihan is very much alive, though it also mirrors the lack of government aid,” Sen. Imee Marcos noted.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan described the community pantries as a “big deal.” “It warms the heart. It fills the tummy…People power against hunger and want. I believe that there’s no greater power than a united empathetic action altogether toward one goal.”

Sen. Joel Villanueva said “it is an indicator of our people’s selflessness and, sadly, an indictment of their government’s many weaknesses in giving help.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto challenged the Department of Agriculture to buy the produce of Luzon vegetable farmers, then “truck them to Manila and quietly give them to community pantries.”

For her part, Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on the government to fix problems and ensure the safe, speedy release of ayuda or assistance, warning that “if the government is slow to provide aid, the people may not die of the virus but of starvation.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe is counting on the Department of Foreign Affairs and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to procure more COVID-19 vaccines by going into “a diplomatic offensive appealing to foreign nations.” – With Sheila Crisostomo, Evelyn Macairan, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero