IPPO’s Bayanihan Kiosk: A venue for givers, receivers

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Reliving the spirit of communal unity and cooperation, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has opened several stalls across the province to give essential goods to the needy.

Dubbed as “Bayanihan Kiosk,” the stalls started operating on Tuesday, April 21. All police stations in their province have their respective kiosk.

“Basically, through this effort, we want to propel community sharing in response to the extended Enhanced Community Quarantine,” says Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo police chief.

The Iloilo top cop believed that the kiosks will be a big help in addressing the depleting food provision, most especially of poor families whose source of livelihood was affected by the ECQ.

Further, the Bayanihan Kiosks will not be only a venue for those who needed food.

Adopting the slogan “Bulig Mo, Kabuhi Ko,” it is considered an innovative effort to encourage community sharing and support amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It will also open for all members of the community who are willing to share anything they can, especially essential goods, which could help their neighbors in need,” Lucas said, as he called every Ilonggos who have more in life to share their blessings.

Donations could be in the form of rice, noodles, canned goods, dried fish, condiments, and even alcohol and hand sanitizers, among others.

“If they have livestocks or vegetables that they want to share, they are welcome to our Bayanihan Kiosks,” he said.

There are presently 47 Bayanihan Kiosks which simultaneously open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Anyone is free to get what they need from the kiosks. In most cases, beneficiaries were asked to have their choices at two kilos maximum.

Lucas said the duration of the program will depend on the support that the Ilonggos would extend.