Robredo defends community pantry organizers amid red-tagging

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday defended the organizers of community pantries in the country amid the red-tagging of some government officials.

"Napaka-misplaced, napaka-irresponsible 'yong ginagawa ng ibang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan na sa panahon na gaya nito, 'yan 'yong iniisip nila," Robredo said in her weekly radio show.

(The actions of these government officials are misplaced and irresponsible.)

"May lugar at panahon para sa lahat. Ngayon na maraming nagugutom, maraming nawalan ng hanapbuhay, malaki 'yong pangangailangan, dapat nga kapag may mga ganitong activities ay sinusuportahan," she added.

(There is a time and place for everything but in this pandemic during which many are going hungry and have lost their livelihoods, we should support this kind of initiative.)

Robredo said she hopes this will not stop Filipinos from putting up more community pantries.

Further, she lauded the organizers of the food-sharing initiative.

"Kahit na nire-redtag nila, mas marami talaga 'yong na-i-inspire, mas marami 'ypng gumagaya. Ito 'yong pinaka-value ng community pantry, para mapukaw 'yong kabutihan, 'yong compassion sa puso ng maraming mga Pilipino," Robredo said.

(Despite the red-tagging, more people are inspired to carry on with the initiative. I think this is the true value of the community pantry--to inspire kindness, compassion in the hearts of many Filipinos.)

The community pantry that started on Maginhawa Street in Quezon City has been replicated in many areas, with low-income families turning to these pantries as sources for daily sustenance.

Here is a list of community pantries not just in Metro Manila, but in nearby provinces as well. — DVM, GMA News