MANILA, Philippines — With several community pantries popping up in Metro Manila and other provinces amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Monday assured that the government is doing its part in helping out people in need by distributing relief packs to those who are affected by localized lockdowns and typhoons.
Nograles, who heads the national task force on zero hunger, said food packs are reserved for families who are affected by lockdowns in their communities as well as those hit by typhoons.
“Kapag localized lockdowns hindi maka-trabaho so kailangan may tugon kung paano kakain ang kababayan natin na naka-lockdown. Doon pumapasok yung tulong ng local government units, doon din papasok yung support ng ating national government,” he said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel.
(When people are in areas under localized lockdown, they cannot go to work so the government has to address this. That is where the help from LGU and the support from the national government comes in.)
“It’s in that context that we are providing the help needed. Doon nakareserba syempre ‘yung ating food packs. Plus remember, typhoon season is coming and with typhoon season we also have to reserve ‘yung mga food packs natin,” he added.
(That is where the food packs are reserved. Plus, typhoon season is coming and with typhoon season, we also have to reserve food packs.)
Community pantries — areas where food packs and other agricultural produce donated by ordinary people are made available for families affected by strict lockdowns — have popped up in different areas across Metro Manila and other provinces.
The first pantry to have opened was along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, and many have followed suit.
Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said community panties may be considered a “sign of desperation” since people can no longer rely on the government to help them.
For his part, former Vice President Jejomar Binay said the pantries came up amid an “absent” government.
“The message behind the rise of community pantries is simple: when the government is absent, we can look after each other,” Binay said in a tweet Sunday.