Community pantries mulled at Carbon market

CEBU, Philippines —  Carbon Public Market vendors are planning to contribute their respective goods for the community pantries eyed in different areas in Carbon, Cebu City’s Market Operations Division (MOD) said.

City Market Administrator Irvin Cabales said surplus goods would most likely be donated by the vendors. These would include vegetables, fruits, and meat, among others.

The community pantry was intended to help the people gravely affected by the pandemic.

The idea behind such was that people could take as much as they need and donate whatever they can.

Cabales said if there will be more stocks, putting up a community pantry in some barangays would also be possible.

“Kung manobra gyud ang idonar nga mga produkto, ato na ipaabot sa mga barangay, partikular na sa mga area nga dunay naglisod,” said Cabales.

Cabales said they will have a meeting with representatives from different vendor groups within this week to talk about the plan which is expected to be launched soon.

“Nauso naman gyud ang mga community pantry sa bisan asa nga lugar sa nasud. Dinhi sa Carbon, andam pud ang atong vendors nga mo-share sa ilang mga sobra nga baligya ngadto sa mga nanginahanglan,” said Cabales.

Regarding the meat to be donated, Cabales assured that this will undergo inspection to ensure its quality and to assure that it is safe to be consumed by the individuals who would receive it.

“Siguradoon man pud nato nga okay gyud ang mga produkto nga mabutang sa pantry. Salamat kaayo sa tanang vendors nga mo-cooperate sa maong programa,” he said.

To recall, Mayor Edgardo Labella said community pantries in the city do not need a permit from the city government.

"Mananghid lang gyud sila sa ilang barangay kung asa sila manghatag. Dili pa siguro kinanghalan og permit because this is not a business. This is more of a voluntary undertaking out of the kindness of their heart, out of the goodness of people," Labella earlier said.

Informing the barangay would allow officials to keep an eye on the pantries to ensure those who visit will observe minimum health protocols, especially social distancing and wearing of masks.

In Cebu City, the first known community pantry was put up in Barangay Guadalupe. Community pantries were also established in other areas like in Pasil, Cebu City, in Minglanilla and Consolacion towns, and in Mantalongon, Dalaguete in southern Cebu.

The community pantry was pioneered in Maginhawa, Quezon City and was organized by Ana Patricia Non. — KQD (FREEMAN)