“When the government is absent, we can look after each other.”
This, according to former vice president Jejomar “Jojo” Binay, is the message behind the rise of community pantries.
“When the situation seems hopeless, we can lift each other’s spirit. Magtulungan, magtiwala sa isa’t-isa, at manalig sa Maykapal (Let’s help and trust each other, and keep our faith in God),” he posted on Twitter, Sunday afternoon (April 8).
Amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), a community pantry in Maginhawa, Quezon City was opened by Ana Patricia Non.
The initiative of Non has inspired many people to set up their own community pantries in their respective areas to help people financially affected by the pandemic.
Netizens have also posted on social media about community pantries spotted in other parts of the metro, as well as in the province.
This simple act of kindness has captured the hearts of the public and provided food on the plate of jobless Filipinos who can no longer afford to buy food for their families.
Unemployment rate in the country went up due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Department of Labor and Employment, over 420,000 Filipinos lost their jobs in 2020 as the pandemic affected the economy.