Where to find a year-long community pantry? Try Lamut, Ifugao

Ifugao, Philippines – Before community pantries became a trend in the Philippines to help reprieve hunger amidst the on-going health crisis, Lamut, Ifugao already has their own since the pandemic started in 2020.

This was made possible by a local philanthropist, Irish Saint Salvio, who had been using her own money to purchase goods and vegetables to help the people cope with the difficulty of putting food on the table, while helping the farmers sell their harvest.

This initiative has been running for a year now and is being sustained by Irish. Moreover, it has benefitted over 18 barangays in Lamut and helped farmers in Tinoc, Kiangan, and Nueva Vizcaya.

Start of Project

The project started on March 24, 2020, long before the term ‘community pantry’ was popularized in the country last month.

According to Irish, just like anybody else, it was challenging for her to make sure there is food in the house, with the imposed Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine on March 16, 2020 mandating people to stay inside their homes.

Apart from this experience, she received various calls from the farmers at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal, expressing their sentiments over their unsold produce even if they have to drop the price.

Having heard their pleas, and having known the struggle to get food during the lockdown, Irish thought of shooting two birds with one stone. She then decided to buy the farmers’ products to distribute to the people in Lamut.

“Nakiusap sila na kung pwede e bilhin ko, kaya para matulungan sila ina-angkat ko na lang at ‘yon ang ipinamimigay din natin sa mga kababayan natin dito sa Lamut. In that way, nakatulong tayo sa dalawang panig,” she said.

Since then, various vegetables were displayed in different communities where the people can freely pick. Additionally, to also reach the front liners and the people in quarantine, Irish’ team bought and re-packed the goods then delivered to them.

Meantime, this initiative is only one of the many services that Irish is doing to help the people in Lamut. She is also the founder of Irish Cares Educational Assistance Program and Irish Cares Charity Services.

OTHER NEWS

Rider faces 5 charges after being flagged down for not wearing a helmet

ADVERTISEMENT

Follow Guru Press Cordillera on Facebook for more News and Information