A COMMUNITY pantry is definitely NOT the “Communist Party.”
Some people with ill intentions are linking the grassroots initiative to “communism” and creating fear and doubt among people instead of hailing the community spirit among Filipinos, that even people in other countries are now talking about.
As a Bloomberg report stated: “Dozens of makeshift stalls for food donations have sprouted across the Philippines, as the government said aid for the poor had been delayed weeks after another lockdown.”
The headline was referencing to no less than Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque who said in a virtual briefing with reporters on Monday, April 19. “Only 4 billion pesos ($83 million) of the 23 billion-peso budget for aid have been handed out as distribution was hampered by measures to curb spread of the virus”, the reporting stated.
These community pantries are not like “carenderias” or soup kitchens. Based on what we see, they are mostly donated fresh produce and packed snacks that people get in long lines for to cook at home and serve to their families.
The Washington Post described the community pantry with the sign it bore: “Give what you can, take what you need.”
“A week after the initiative began as a humble cart with free vegetables and canned goods, over 300 similar donation-driven efforts have popped up across the Philippines. Variations such as community libraries and pantries for pets have appeared, too” the Post reported.
The Vatican News heralded: “Filipino bishops are encouraging free-food stations run by the people for the poor, to help ease hunger during the pandemic, as these ‘community pantries’ expand rapidly across the country.”
Those without food to eat because of the hardships brought about by the pandemic, people line up to get free goods from pantries set up by communities and individuals, which Bloomberg said is the replication of one “community pantry put up by a female resident from Quezon City.”
Citing reports from ABS-CBN, Bloomberg told its readers around the world: “This first ‘community pantry’ however temporarily shut on Tuesday, after the organizer was reportedly questioned by cops and was linked to communists, ABS-CBN reported, but the police chief said in a statement there’s no intention to interfere.”
That is troubling, especially when people are going out of their way to help others in need as the Philippines continues to be threatened by the coronavirus pandemic that has disrupted the livelihood and killed many Filipinos.
However, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that “President Rodrigo Duterte’s government however doesn’t view the community pantries as a ‘condemnation’ of its pandemic response”. Roque added, “It simply shows the best in us during the worst of times,” Bloomberg reported.
There’s also concern that these “community pantries” might be super-spreaders of the virus, according to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Martin Dino who explained why those planning to set up community pantries need a permit from the local government.
“These pantries might trigger coronavirus infections,” he said, later clarifying that those who organize these community pantries must coordinate with villages if they need authorization, ABS-CBN News reported.
However, some local government officials like Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto welcome and even praise the charitable acts of volunteers who run the community pantries in Pasig. He said he doesn’t require “permit” from people who want to help.
It is unfortunate that these acts of kindness and the bayanihan spirit Filipinos are known for are now being politicized and even demonized, forgetting the humanity and divinity of the spirit in giving.
CBCP Vice President Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookaan reminded us: “We are responsible for one another, following the example of the first Christian communities. The initiative is educational in the sense of solidarity and charity because it encourages the faithful to think not only of themselves but also of the well-being of others,” the Vatican News reported.
The bishop estimates” more than 5,000 people have been fed through the community pantries. The fact that these pantries have mushroomed spontaneously across the country, he said, is a miracle. It encourages kindness, concern, compassion, generosity, a sense of solidarity and co-responsibility from people of all walks of life.”
May the community spirit of Filipinos that has helped us through many challenges, calamities and hardships live on. May those who only think of themselves, of what they can get instead of asking themselves what they can give back for the greater good, learn from these men and women who truly embody the Christian values and principles as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at [email protected], or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
