SENATORS have lauded the joint efforts of Filipino people from different social classes to ensure that immediate food relief will be provided to residents affected by COVID-19 pandemic by setting up community pantries.
Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Nancy Binay said it is a bayanihan spirit of the Filipinos.
“Yes, this is the Bayanihan spirit of the Filipino in modern times!” Sotto said.
“Community pantries is an expression of our Bayanihan spirit. We are a caring and sharing people. This will be very helpful in assisting families cope with COVID,” Recto meanwhile said.
“The community pantry is a symbol that ordinary Filipinos are ready and willing to help our needy kababayans. Ito ay ang pinakamagandang simbolo ng modern day bayanihan na lahat tayo ay may kakayahang tumulong,” Gatchalian stated.
“I’m addition, honesty system of the community party also shows discipline among those who are in need. Kumukuha lang ang tao ayon sa kanilang kailangan – walang labis na pagkuha ng pagkain o gamit,” Gatchalian added.
“Nakakataba ng puso na makitang dumarami ang community pantries, at patunay lang na ang Bayanihan spirit is alive. Bilang mga Pilipino, we always have this unflinching desire to help whenever extraordinary circumstances call us to respond,” Binay meanwhile said.
“It shows that Filipinos are naturally generous, compassionate, and have the heart for service. And when things seem uncertain, and despairing–community pantries are a testament that hope is not lost. Sharing does not need to have any color or politics,” she added.
At the same time, while Senators Grace Poe, Imee Marcos and Risa Hontiveros also believe in the Bayanihan Spirit, they also claimed that this is a sign of desperation.
“This is a sign that not all hope is lost. The good in our fellow countrymen is shown through these community pantries. However it’s a wakeup call that government must do more to provide for the people,” Poe said.
She added that the private sector has taken it upon them selves yet again to face the needs of the people.
“First it was mass testing, then it was vaccination, and now our people are finding ways to feed the hungry.
When will we stop reacting to the needs of the people and start anticipating them?” she added.
For her part, Marcos this also means that the people are not getting enough help from the government.
“Patunay lang na kaya nating pilipinong tumayo sa sariling mga paa sa gitna ng pandemya, na kahit paano lalabanan natin ang gutom at pandemya para sa ating mga pamilya. Ang nagsulputang community pantries ang nagpapatunay na buhay na buhay “Bayanihan”, pero sumasalamin din ito sa kawalan ng sapat na ayuda mula sa gobyerno,” Marcos said.
“Ipinapakita rin nito ang malaking kakulangan ng pamahalaan sa pagtugon sa COVID-19. This administration needs to STEP UP. Malaki talaga ang kakulangan. Hindi kayang saluhin ng taumbayan ang gobyerno forever,” Hontiveros for her part said.
“Bukod sa ayuda, kailangan na ng isang insitusyunal na program tulad ng “foodbanks” lalo na sa mga tukoy na lugar kung saan maraming nangangailangan,” she added.
