Who’s afraid of Ana Patricia Non?

There is an epidemic spreading across the country but it is the type that we should propagate. The virus is so contagious that it has now popped up not only in Metro Manila where it originated but also all over the place. The setting up of community pantries is not an original idea of Ana Patricia Non, and she does not claim it to be. Many others, either individually or in groups, have done similar things in the past.

It is not a complicated set up— the food and staples can be laid on a big table or cart in one’s backyard, garage or at the street fronting the house where the needy passers-by can take a look and pick up the items they need. Others are more organized with partakers being required to register and pre-packed foodstuffs are available for easier and equitable allocation. Some pantries provide more supply while others less, but the common denominator of all organizers is the desire to help others who have problems putting food on their tables. This is a very laudable project and we should credit Patricia for undertaking this worthy initiative. Her schools, Paco Catholic School and the University of the Philippines, cherish her achievement and acquaintances take great pride in knowing Patricia. No one in his right mind can close his eyes to the long lines of hungry people waiting to get their share of a pack of rice and sugar, a can of sardines or meat product, pieces of eggs, sachets of coffee, assorted vegetables, noodles and a kilo of camote. It’s subsistence for a couple of days to a family that slept with empty stomach the night before. It’s a gift of life to those who have no idea where to get their next meal—thanks to Patricia and to all those who have selflessly organized community pantries. But it seems that not all are pleased with, and grateful of, their contributions to society.

It appears that some sectors in the government are not pleased with the work of Patricia and other organizers of the community pantries. They are getting insecure after the project has gained wide acceptance and approval by the community. They get upset when non-government people or groups succeed in doing work for the general public and inevitably get the credit, which the government should have done in the first place. Doing a good deed is not the monopoly of the government. Everyone has the social responsibility to do his share to promote commonweal. We are our brothers’ keeper. Harassing and intimidating the community pantry organizers reflects badly on the perpetrators and will only boomerang against the government that they represent. Unfortunately, some subalterns are overzealous with their positions and they believe that being more popish than the pope would inherit them the kingdom of heaven. Former Vice President Jejomar Binay has said it all when he stated: “Is the government so threatened by the idea of people sharing what they have with the poor and hungry that it is now harassing and red-tagging community pantries? Kung sapat ang ayuda, wala sanang community

pantries… Takot ba ang gobyerno sa libreng gulay? ” After they were harshly denounced by other officials in the government and the citizenry, one top official of DILG immediately claimed that he was misquoted by allegedly requiring prior registration and approval from the LGU or barangay before anyone can put up a community pantry. The top police official also denied having ordered his men to conduct profiling and redtagging of the operators of the community pantries. Sensing the overwhelming sentiment of the public, many LGUS have asserted that they would not require a permit for any community pantry to operate within their jurisdiction. Even the Secretary of Justice, a man who is known for fairness and prudence, has disagreed with the actions of his fellow officials in the administration. I know that the President is not behind this and that he would not sanction the unjustified moves of the officials concerned. I recall the time when President Duterte sacked Commissioner Manuelito Luna of the Presidential Anti-corruption Commission for asking for the investigation of VP Leni Robredo for allegedly competing with the government efforts in providing relief to the Covid-19 victims. Commissioner Luna claimed that VP Robredo had undermined the government’s program to address the health crisis.

At no time is closer cooperation between the government and the private sector more needed than at present where every help matters if we are to succeed in meeting the challenges brought about by the pandemic. Instead of terrorizing the project organizers, the government should encourage and facilitate the formation of community pantries all over the country most particularly in depressed communities. Or, if they cannot lick them, better join them, as what one police station has done by putting up its own pantry. They may have no problem stockpiling their pantry with food supply. The support of the government to this excellent project will go a long way in providing basic necessities to our starving population. NGOS can also do their share. Private resources are finite, and we have to admit that benefactors may suffer from donors’ fatigue. With the government’s support, and probably grant of incentives, we can overcome what we call “ningas kugon.” Only with a strong public-private partnership can we sustain this movement. The community pantries that provide supply of free basic staples to our hungry neighbors will be the saving grace of this pandemic and the legacy of our selfless generation.