UNITY IN CHARITY: LGU, police support community pantries amid pandemic

In Iloilo City, organizers of community pantries, together with the local government unit (LGU) and the police are working harmoniously to feed Ilonggos who are truly in need.

The alleged threats of red-tagging and profiling of organizers of community pantries in Manila have forced some organizers to temporarily stop the operations of community pantries.

On the other hand, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Martin Diño announced Tuesday the possibility of requiring permits for the operations of community pantries to ensure that health protocols are being followed.

But in Iloilo City, cops and organizers of the initiative are united in spirit and action.

Mayor Jerry Treñas has clarified on Wednesday that he will not require community pantries to secure permits.

In fact, Treñas encouraged more Ilonggos to join the movement and establish more community pantries to help poor Ilonggos who are struggling to cope with the pandemic.

“To clarify the matter of community pantries in Iloilo City, as the duly elected city mayor of our beloved city, I am encouraging all organizers. Let us show our Bayanihan spirit in helping one another,” he said in a statement.

As a testament of the “Bayanihan spririt” of the Ilonggos, three community pantries have been established in the city so far.

The first community pantry in the metro established at Brgy. Mansaya, Lapuz was organized by youth volunteers Allen Dave Evidente and Carmela Adelantar with the help of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and barangay officials.

Instead of celebrating her birthday, one good Samaritan, Florencio Yap of Alta Tierra village in Jaro district decided to organize a community pantry in their barangay to help the needy.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo Pride Team together with Gabriela Panay-Guimaras, Arts and Sciences Society of English Majors, Tulong Kabataan Western Visayas and other youth organizers spearheaded another community pantry at Uswag Gym in Rizal, Lapaz.

The community pantries had vegetables, canned goods, noodles, bread, and other basic necessities for those who are barely coping from the pandemic.

Treñas lauded the organizers of the community pantries who for him showed that indeed the Bayanihan spirit has been echoing in Iloilo City.

“You do not need to be elected or appointed to help our least privileged sectors of society. I fully support all organizers of community pantries. Bayanihan spirit is indeed echoing in Iloilo City,” he stressed.

Even police authorities have expressed support for the growing community pantries in Iloilo City.

One netizen spotted some personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) helping a community pantry in Iloilo City by helping cut and sort the vegetables.

Meanwhile, another officer was spotted in a community pantry in Jaro district donating “malunggay” and jackfruit from his backyard.

Treñas also acknowledged the help of PNP personnel in the community pantries in the metro.

“As seen, personnel of the Philippine National Police helped to open a community pantry in Lapaz. No issues, just there to help the needy.,” Treñas noted.

Community pantries are nothing new in Iloilo City.

During the start of the pandemic, the Iloilo City government established 240 community kitchens to offer free meals to the city residents including frontliners.

The community kitchens and even the relief goods and initial funding for the purchase of test kits were all products of the bayanihan spirit of Ilonggos headed by the business sector.

Now, this bayanihan spirit is once again seen in the community pantries in Iloilo City and other parts of the region as well.

For the mayor, it is a testament that there is nothing wrong in having a heart to help and to serve. (ERS)