Senator Joel Villanueva today lauded the “community pantry” phenomenon that is fast growing among the villages and neighborhoods in the country, spreading the spirit of “bayanihan” among members of the populace and helping in filling the gaps in government aid in some areas.
“I think it is ‘love thy neighbor’ in practice, and the classic bayanihan in action. It is an indicator of our people’s selflessness, and, sadly, an indictment of their government’s many weaknesses in giving help,” Villanueva explained.
“This is a way of responding to the urgent call of communities for help.”
“This is a way of responding to the urgent call of communities for help. But to survive the pandemic, we need the government to be more precise in its action. I hope that the community pantries continue to inspire us. I hope it also inspires the government to act fast,” the veteran legislator added.
What started out as just one community pantry in Maginhawa Street in Quezon City has been replicated in dozens more areas not only in Metro Manila, but in places such as Baguio City, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Sur, and as far as Iligan City, among others.
“This is a teachable moment for those in the public sector,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
“Kindness can mobilize people.”
“First, that there is a deep reservoir of compassion among our people waiting to be tapped. Second, that kindness can mobilize people more than the language of hate and fear,” the senator stressed.
“When people are putting rice in the empty pots of their neighbors, they are banging those pots as well to call the government’s attention to their plight,” he concluded.