Photo Credits: source
What is a Community Pantry?
From the slogan “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan”, Community Pantry means taking what you need and give what you can give. It is a give and take activity where people who need something like rice or egg or anything that they can cook for food or they can eat or drink can get it and those who wants to give will leave something to the pantry.
This activity became a trend that really created a lot of different reactions and spark some controversies due to an alleged red tagging and violations of the safety protocols that the government is implementing.
Reminder: I want to make a blog about this but due to personal reasons, This reaction is a little late but anyway I will still do it. I am just expressing my opinions on this issue. please don’t bash me or hate me. Let’s respect one another even if we have different views. Thank you very much, Stay Safe and God Bless
Red Tagging
Simply speaking, it is where a person can get tagged as a communists or a terrorists even they don’t have proof at all. This mostly happens to oppositions or those who sometimes express their criticisms against the government and as expected, Community Pantries are affected by it.
Personally, I don’t think red tagging people is necessary though I understand the intention of our government. I mean if there is really an infiltration going on with these community pantries then I guess it is better for the police or the military to monitor them and if they are doing illegal things then arrest them and put them to legal process rather than red tagging the whole organizers of these community pantries whose intention is to really help our fellow Filipinos who are in need during this time.
Photo Credits: source
Violation of COVID 19 Safety Protocols
Do these Community Pantries violate COVID 19 Safety Protocols? Well in a way they do if the safety protocols are not strictly implemented and the people going to these pantries will not practice discipline. It is clear that the intention of community pantries are to help people but it will defeat its purpose if ithere is no proper management and no discipline from the people. I think that is also the reason why permits are now required if I am not wrong and some guidelines are now set for the safety and security of the people especially that it is stated in the protocols that we should practice social distancing at all times.
To end this essay I just want to say that community pantries is a good initiative of the people who started these pantries, I just hope that instead of seeing this pantries in a negative way we should support this initiative. The government and the organizers of these community pantries should communicate and cooperate with one another so that these Community Pantries will be conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner. We heal as one and we should unite as one.