I just wanna share something that has been happening recently in my country that just warms my heart.
So in the Philippines, the national government has been handling the pandemic horribly. Contact tracing is decentralized, implementation of travel restrictions were delayed (which couldâve helped curb the spread earlier), absurd restrictions have been imposed (which gave way for police to abuse their power against quarantine violators, who were usually out for essentials) âall the while killing activists, spreading disinformation and implementing a law that targets critics of the administration and our freedom of speech. (and also putting âą389-million pesos worth of dolomite sand on Manila Bay in the middle of the pandemic which couldâve been used to feed millions). Oh and as of writing, we are tallying up to 9,000-10,000 cases daily.
That being said, millions of low-income households around the country are struggling to put food on the table. Government payouts per household (which goes as far as âą1,000- 8,000 pesos/$20-160 depending on your wages) are not enough to sustain months of lockdown and no income.
Tired of witnessing inaction, a local woman named Patreng Non made a makeshift pantry right outside her community in Quezon and named it the âMaginhawa Community Pantryâ. The rule was simple. It simply wrote âMagbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan.â
(translation:Â âFrom each according to his ability, to each according to his needsâ)
The pantry gained traction, and after that, donations started pouring in from local farmers, fishermen and other regular folks
First Photo: Patreng Non refilling the community pantry
Second Photo: Local fishermen about to donate 50 kilos surplus of fish
Third Photo: Cardboard saying:Â âFree sweet potatoes from the farmers of Paniqui, Tarlacâ
Fourth Photo: Tricycle drivers helping repack donations received
Fifth Photo: Current pantry with signages designed by local students
There was no panic, no hoarding, and people only took what they needed and left. Soon enough, community pantries started to pop up in different provinces.
This pantry and the nurturing community behind it has done more for the community in a week than what the government has done for the Filipino people in months.Â
Patreng Non has also set up a Paypal if you want to donate to the community pantry!
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