Senator Sonny Angara on Sunday urged the government and private entities to replicate the community pantries that have sprouted in various areas in the country as the country continued to battle a sweeping pandemic.

Angara noted what started in Maginhawa Street in Teachers Village at Quezon City has now been replicated in several other areas, within and outside Metro Manila, with the intention of helping Filipinos who are in need of assistance in their own small way.

“It is encouraging to see more Filipinos demonstrating the bayanihan spirit by putting up community pantries for the benefit of people who are struggling during these very challenging times,” Angara said in a statement.

The senator said these small efforts coming from private individuals could have an even greater impact if the government and businesses will participate, starting in the areas where they are situated.

"We encourage our local government units, the national government, and even private businesses who can afford it to replicate and even scale up these community pantries to cater to even more people,” the senator added.

For instance, Angara said manufacturers can share their products through their own pantries, or just bring them over to the existing operations in their respective areas.

“One small gesture when duplicated by a large number of people will amount to something very meaningful,” he said.

He also pointed out there was no need to spend a huge budget in building a community pantry "because during these trying times, any kind of help that will go to those in need is appreciated."