Mayor Jerry Treñas assured organizers of community pantries in Iloilo City of his “full support.”

“You do not have to be elected or appointed to help the least privileged sectors of society. I fully support all organizers of community pantries,” said Treñas.

According to the mayor, the organizers don’t need his permission before undertaking the initiative that promotes “bayanihan” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Let us show our bayanihan spirit in helping one another,” said Treñas.

Inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City, several groups set up community pantries in the city to help those in need.

The community pantry works on the concept of encouraging people to donate while allowing those in need to get food and other essential items for free.

Its sustainability is banked on the principle of taking only what one needs (kumuha batay sa pangangailangan) and giving what one can (magbigay batay sa kakayahan).IMT