ARMY EFFORT. The Philippine Army’s 84th Infantry Battalion and private donors set up a community pantry in Camp Kapitan Berong, Guimba on Saturday (April 24, 2021). The leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines supports community pantries and similar activities. (Photo courtesy of 84IB)
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The Philippine Army’s 84th Infantry Battalion (84IB) here organized a community pantry on Saturday, with the help of the local government and private donors.
Residents trooped to Camp Kapitan Berong in Barangay Cavite, Guimba town where the 84IB initially prepared 45 kilos of upo (bottle gourd), 60 kilos each of squash and eggplants, 20 kilos each of ampalaya (bitter gourd) and patola (sponge gourd), and one box each of sardines and corned beef.
"Sa kabuuan, 75 katao ang inisyal na nabiyayaan ng pagkain mula sa community pantry. Kasalukayan ding naghihimok para sa mga karagdagang donasyon ang pinagsamang pwersa ng kasundaluhan at opisyales ng Barangay Cavite, Guimba (Overall, 75 persons got food items from the community pantry. We are currently encouraging other donors and the military to give more)," the information office said in a Facebook post.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana previously said in a virtual presser that he has ordered the Civil-Military Operations Office to support community pantries and other similar activities.
"In fact, we are looking for funds for this purpose and (I'm) even contemplating on convincing the members of the Armed Forces to donate one day of our subsistence allowance so with that we will be able to accumulate a substantial amount to support the community pantry or other similar humanitarian undertakings," he said on Thursday.
Sobejana said they will identify areas under lockdown and will deliver food and other necessities. (PNA)
