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| Maharlika Community Pantry, the catalyst of the community pantry movement across different parts of the Philippines (Image Source: ABS-CBN News) |
The implementation of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines has literally changed the way we live and gravely affected the livelihood and lifestyle of millions of Filipinos. Our normalcy was on the verge of bouncimg back after months of being on lockdown, but the alarming surge of COVID-19 cases in the first few months of 2021 completely overwhelmed us and our overconfidence over hopes of normalcy has pushed us back to where it all started. As the surge slowly began to minimize, new beacons of hope have emerged to help those who are desperately in need and encourage those who want to take part in their advocacy and help to the best of what they can do.
It all began with a small stand in one part of Quezon City filled with whatever is placed there most particularly vegetables, condiments and other food products and a small sign that says "Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan." (Give what you want, take what you need) Soon, a few people have rushed to the said stand and take what they can take to satisfy their hunger for food in the times they are facing due to the pandemic while there are those who are keen in giving what they can give for those who are in need. The simple premise of a small stand offering food to others for free and accepting in-kind donations for others eventually became viral on social media and inspired others to do the same in their areas. This is the start of the community pantry movement led by the Maginhawa Community Pantry organized by an individual named Anna Patricia Non.
More than 350 community pantries organized by individuals and organizations from different walks of life including religious organizations, schools, police and military forces, non-government organizations and more are placed across different parts of the country with the same few words on hand "Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan." The quick rise of the community pantry movement amidst the pandemic has provided a bit of hope and delightfulness to thousands of individuals who either lost their jobs and livelihood due to the pandemic or continue to struggle to make their ends meet as they are provided with what they need to become sustainable and more productive everyday for a better tomorrow. Not only that, they are rekindling the Filipino bayanihan spirit in trying and challenging times and become beacons of hope for when government efforts are not enough to help Filipinos live through the pandemic game.
The mission and premise of the community pantry movement has earned the praise and criticism of the national government. At one hand, for the national government, the community pantries are highly regarded as the new catalysts of bayanihan in the Philippines amidst the pandemic game where Filipinos can help and support each other in times of need and desperation. On the other, although the community pantries are considered a "blessing in disguise" for Filipinos, there are doubts that they are potentially essential for the spread of communism in the country and probable recruitment of aspiring communist rebels that can lead to a more dangerous issue in the case of national security. Fortunately, these doubts are considered to be false information and there is no strong evidence that can support these doubts. Besides, the local government units have expressed their full support towards the movement granted that the organizers must work with authorities to impose health and safety measures for those who want to give to and take from the community pantry.
The community pantry movement in the Philippines was so overwhelming enough to be featured in several international publications and news organizations such as The Washington Post. If that is not enough to be intriguingly curious about the movement, then you should know that it inspired and encouraged a few individuals in Timor Leste to set up their own community pantry in order to help their fellow countrymen surviving the global health crisis. Heck, several community pantries in the country are offering more than just food such as pharmacies, books, health products including contraceptives, and even pet food. These new beacons of hope can be regarded as reliefs for those who are desperate to survive in their daily lives throughout the pandemic game, but these are just part of essentially effective solutions to what is needed to be addressed from the Philippine government's continuing efforts to prevent the further spread of the virus. Mabuhay ang community pantry!! Mabuhay ang lakas at kaluluwa ng bayanihang Pilipino!!