The community pantry initiative, which emerged at the height of the pandemic, will be adopted to address hunger under the administration of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan if they succeed in the May 9 elections.
Pangilinan said this on Sunday night, April 24, during the Leniwanag sa Diliman street party in Maginhawa, Quezon City , where the first community pantry initiative was done.
“Iyong community pantry ia-adopt ng Leni-Kiko tandem para maging isang source ng pagkain lalo na ng ating mga kababayang ginugutom (The Leni-Kiko tandem will adopt the idea of community pantry as a source of food, especially for our fellowmen who are suffering hunger),” Pangilinan said during his speech.
The community pantry movement was initiated by Anna Patricia Non on Maginhawa Street, which stretched through three barangays in Quezon City. The initiative then inspired more communities in the country to set up their own pantries where people who are in need of food could get food supplies for free based on their needs.
Some government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, also followed suit.
“Dito sa Maginhawa nag-umpisa ang community pantry. Sa halip na i-redtag iyong community pantry, dapat suportahan ng gobyerno ang community pantry (The community pantry started here in Maginhawa. Instead of red tagging the community pantry, it must be supported by the government),” he said.
Non's initiative, despite its intentions, was at the receiving end of accusations and red tagging from the administration. Pangilinan was among the personalities that defended the movement, underscoring its big help in combating hunger in the absence of government aid.
The aspiring vice president said the idea of the community pantries resembles his campaign slogan of “Hello Pagkain! Goodbye Gutom!” and his goal of eradicating hunger and achieving a food-secure Philippines. He believes that food security can only be attained by supporting farmers and fisherfolk.
Non was among the community leaders and laborers who raised the hands of Pangilinan during the street party, signifying support for the lawmaker's candidacy.