The community pantry trend that’s been evolving in these times of the pandemic is not a new thing. It is very much the same bayanihan spirit that is distinctly Filipino. It is also very much Christian-like.
Charity is the strength that will pull people through the tough times. But charity itself has to be genuine and it is the facelessness of charity that makes it so.
Genuine charity should be bereft of fanfare. So if we are true to the word charity, we should not have any problems with community pantry.
Be that as it may, there should be a sense of responsibility and foresight. We cannot have people crowding on every community pantry organised.
Whether we like it or not, the trend has also awakened interest and awareness among people of this so-called pantry-mania that some have become ‘pantry hunters’ or ‘pantry crashers.’
We understand it when Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio advised those individuals and groups planning to stage a community pantry to always coordinate with the barangay and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for crowd-control.
Mayor Sara thinks the recklessness defeats the purpose of charity. Hence, the need for some restrictions.
While issuing guidelines for organizers of community pantry is not yet necessary, it is imperati at this point to require pantry organisers a permit. This is being discussed and referred to the City Legal Office.
It makes sense to put some control mechanisms before this whole pantry-mania becomes a spreader itself.
