Community pantries return to help out drivers amid oil price hikes
Remember the community pantries that popped up amid the COVID-19 pandemic? They've made a comeback—this time, to help drivers affected by oil price hikes.
Ana Patricia Non, who organized the seminal community pantry in Maginhawa, announced the return of the initiative on March 26.
"Habang nagtataas po ang presyo ng gas at tuloy-tuloy po ang transport strikes, dating gawi po tayo para suportahan naman ang mga drivers," she wrote on Facebook.
The community pantry will still follow the same process. You can donate what you can, and those in need can freely take goods.
"Pwedeng mag-abot ng kung ano 'yung kakayahan ng tao, delata, pagkain, sandwich, ulam," Non said in an interview with One News' The Big Story.
She also clarified that the Maginhawa community pantry does not accept monetary donations. However, those who want to help can give bread, rice, and vegetables.
"Maganda 'yung main ingredient, kunyari sayote, ampalaya, upo, kangkong, kasi ulam na siya eh. 'Yung mga rekados like bawang, sibuyas, kamatis, pa-isa-isa lang naman 'yung bili niyan. So kung bibilhin na gulay, 'yung pang-busog, pang-ulam na ng family 'yung suggestion," Non said, adding that community pantries accept anything.
The community pantry in Maginhawa is located at the tricycle terminal in Maginhawa corner Magiting.
Others have popped up in Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Baguio, and Calapan City at the following locations:
- Matalino corner Masikap Ext. TODA Terminal
- UP Diliman Fine Arts, E. Jacinto
- Maharlika UP-TODA NHA, Diliman, QC
- UP Transport Group, Philcoa
- Matatag corner Maaralin
- San Vicente, Quezon City
- 5 Jade St. Payatas B, QC
- San Nicolas Community Pantry - M. H. Del Pilar Street, Pasig
- Camp 7 Barangay Market, Baguio City
Fuel prices across the globe have been skyrocketing since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to most traffic, cutting off about a quarter of the world's sea-borne oil supply. This, in retaliation for the continuous attacks from the US and Israel, which began on Feb. 28, 2026.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency in response to the conflict on March 24. He also signed into law a bill granting him the power to suspend or reduce fuel excise tax, but he has yet to exercise it.
