An “honest community pantry” opened at the transport terminal of the municipality of Lambunao, Iloilo on Friday, April 23, is expected to stimulate similar activities down to the town’s 73 barangays.

“We will just pilot at the town proper. Our mission is we also want to trigger other community pantries in the barangay level,” Ariel Lastica, one of the organizers, said in a phone interview.

He added that they named it “honest community pantry” because they rely on the honesty of the public when they get their supply.

They only have two volunteers manning the entrance and exit of the venue who also remind people to observe minimum health standards and protocols while they get their supplies for the day.

“At the same time, this one is also an eco-friendly advocacy because we urged them to bring their eco-bag; we will not provide plastic bags and other containers,” he said.

The Champion Farmers of Lambunao, with which he is affiliated, will provide rice as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). They will also accept canned goods, fruits, vegetables, and other non-perishable items.

The Champion Farmers is a values formation and technical skills program aimed at improving the lives of farmers.

Lastica added the pantry would also welcome book donations or educational materials, and hygiene kits, among others.

“This is a neutral environment that everyone can give, everyone can share, everyone can participate. We hope that this community pantry will provide a temporary solution to problems encountered by families in Lambunao,” he said.

He said that tricycle drivers of Lambunao, for instance, were displaced when recently disallowed to ply the national highway in compliance with the memorandum order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

He added that they might hold mobile community pantries if they could get other volunteers.

Lastica said the long-term objective is to trigger community pantry at the barangay level because not all residents of far-flung areas can go down to the town proper.

“We would like to influence our youths, through their Sangguniang Kabataan, to replicate the pantry in their barangays. We will support them,” he added.

Lastica said he saw posts on Facebook of pantries being used as a venue to distribute anti-government leaflets.

“For me, if ever (it is) true, community pantries must be free of these activities and (should) really focus on helping and sharing with those in need,” he said.

Lambunao’s “honest community pantry” is just one of the “bayanihan”-like activities that have been mushrooming in this city and in the province of Iloilo.

Community pantries are also available in Sta. Barbara and Calinog towns and in various districts of Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Col. Gilbert Gorero said with the mushrooming of community pantries, police stations have been directed to keep watch to make sure health protocols are being observed.

He recalled that the community pantry is not new because the IPPO launched its Bayanihan Kiosk last year at the height of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which was managed by the local police.

“Just like a pantry, we have the kiosk and everybody is welcome to come to us. But we didn’t ask for donations because we produced using our own resources to sustain the program,” he said.Perla Lena/PNA