SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS NEEDED
Elsewhere in Manila, a commuters’ group has set up a portable roadside kitchen, handing out meals to passing jeepney drivers.
“Different K-pop fan groups have donated to us,” said Nanoy Rafael, convener of PARA Commuters’ Network.
“Even local artists have given us a portion of their earnings from their shows.”
The crisis has also revived “community pantries,” first seen during the country’s COVID-19 lockdowns.
Run by volunteers, these roadside setups offer essentials like rice and canned goods for anyone in need.
Sixty-year-old Esmeralda Grimaldo-Lana has been organising weekly pantry distributions at various locations since the pandemic, building a network of donors and volunteers to keep them going.
“I always think in the back of my mind, it’s not for myself. It’s really for the people,” said the community pantry organiser.
“You need to get out of your comfort zone and see what you can contribute.”
Community pantries and feeding programmes have become a recurring cultural phenomenon in the Philippines, reflecting a spirit of collective resilience in times of crisis.
But organisers and beneficiaries are calling for more concrete government action – including the suspension of oil taxes and increased subsidies for drivers – as they stress that generosity, while vital, is not a long-term solution.
