The fuel price crisis and hyperinflation of goods and services in the Philippines must feel like the COVID-19 pandemic all over again to oblige the reappearance of a grassroots aid phenomenon.
The mutual aid initiative that became a nationwide movement and helped feed the Philippines during the pandemic lock downs five years ago was restarted by its founder Ana Patricia Non on the exact same spot in Quezon City on Thursday.
As public transportation workers held another nationwide transport strike, Non resurrected her Community Pantry phenomenon offering free food items to drivers and motorcycle delivery riders.
“As gas prices continue to rise and transport strikes continue, we are doing our best to support drivers. Still, give according to ability, take according to need. You can leave goods or any support for drivers,” Non posted on her Facebook page.
A cart full of items such as rice, vegetables, eggs, canned food, and others await drivers and riders who may take what they need for free.
By Thursday afternoon, donations quickly replaced those already taken by drivers who ply their routes nearby.
Mang Jose, a tricycle driver who complains of earning even less as petrol prices breached P100 per litre this week, took two eggs for himself and his wife, as well as a portion of cooking oil. Joanna, a young office worker, meanwhile delivered three egg crates as her contribution to the effort.
What was the original initiative?
Non started the original Maginhawa Street Community Pantry on April 14, 2021 with a small bamboo cart loaded with some vegetables and rice.
The initiative by the young artist was her response to the growing poverty caused by severe lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the help of social media, over 200 similar pantries were put up all over Metro Manila, growing to thousands across the Philippines in succeeding week.
It helped feed millions of poor Filipinos who suffered loss of livelihoods and limited government aid during the Rodrigo Duterte administration.
The phenomenon embodied the Filipino practice of “bayanihan,” the value of helping others in need.
Awards, threats
Non’s phenomenal movement earned recognition from various local and international socio-civic organizations and award-giving bodies.
She received the Ambassador’s Woman of Courage Award from the US Embassy in 2022, the 2022 AirAsia Stellar Award, and was a 2022 Ten Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service.
Other honors include the 2021 Golden Wheel Award by Rotary International and the 2nd Dragon Star Award by the ABS-CBN media network.
Ironically, Non was accused by the Philippine military and government officials of being a part of the underground Communist movement for putting into practice “radical ideals.”
The accusations, however, backfired against her accusers as millions of Filipinos denounced the threats and defended her and community pantry initiative.
As of Thursday afternoon, crates full of food items have surrounded the cart at the original site while other pantries in other parts of Metro Manila, Baguio City and Mindoro Island have also been started.
Restaurants have also pledged to operate soup kitchens in jeepney and tricycle terminals in Metro Manila while the transport strikes continue.
A community pantry for stray animals have also been started in Quezon City. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
