Pag-Ulikid is a project of FaithFull – ProyektoPagtuo Network and Rover Circle no. 6 Agila Bacolod, under the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Bacolod City Council - Western Visayas Region, that aims to help the most vulnerable families in Bacolod City by providing goods from generous donors and partner organizations. Inspired by the #CommunityPantry Initative of Ms. Ana Patricia Non in Maginhawa, Quezon City, this project was initiated to continue the domino effect from where it started first so that other organizations can also implement such events. With this, we are not only helping other people but we are also showing unity to one another in the midst of a pandemic.

In Bacolod City, Philippines, just like any other cities, in order to sustain the momentum when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, practically putting the local economy to a halt when the lockdown was imposed to contain the virus. Local economy getting shut down leads to poverty, some families that rely on their small businesses have no income level may or will barely survive hunger due to this global pandemic. This leads to the lack of access to food, whereas families that are severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are most likely to suffer from hunger. That being said, due to the local economy getting halt, making more families experiencing hunger, thus we should take action in order for those families in Bacolod to sustain themselves in this COVID-19, global pandemic.

Due to the Global Pandemic, COVID 19, the City’s local economy has been put to a halt by the lockdown. Making it harder and harder for families that rely on small businesses in order to get food on their table. The COVID-19 pandemic affected most of the families that have businesses to sustain their living. However, the ones that suffer harshly from the COVID-19 pandemic brought in are those families that rely on their small businesses with low-income levels due to the local economy getting shut down. With this situation most families will have lack access to food without their businesses to rely on, without the source of income, hunger will be a common problem in this city.

The project aims to establish a partnership with other organizations in our community to help within the battle against hunger. In addition, Pag-ulikid will meet the goods that the people need towards making the process as quick and painless as possible. Moreover, the project prioritizes helping the most vulnerable families here in Bacolod City. Outcomes The project has successfully helped families that in need of goods in this time of COVID-19, a global pandemic. With the support given to us by Agila Bacolod, FFPP Interfaith Network, Rover Circle no. 6 Bacolod City Council, NESAPh Papa Isio Chapter no. 6, Senior Scouts Committee Bacolod City Council, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The community pantry started on April 22, 2021.Donations were accepted and it was able to reach out to families that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the opening, the Scouts helped arrange and assisted in giving out the goods to the families that were in need. The project went smooth as anticipated, the only trouble encountered during the period of the Community Pantry are those who are financially capable in life are the ones who always come back and are not satisfied, those who are still in need are the ones who are appreciative while those who are somehow comfortable in life are the ones who complain, even though we always remind to only take what is needed and only those who need it the most should get the food because Community Pantry is not a Donation Drive.

On April 27, 2021, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints donated and assisted the community pantry. They donated religious items as well as goods to give out to the families that are in need. Also, Ma'am Eden Ariola and Ma'am Gladys Sales donated to help out the pantry with its supplies. By April 30, 2021, the Pag-ulikid Community Pantry has come to the end. All the donations were given successfully.

While Covid-19, a global pandemic, is still contagious the economy of our country is still being challenged. There will still be families that will suffer from hunger due to lack of income because of the lockdown. We must acknowledge that these issues exist and they are problems. Only then do we take action and find possible ways to end these problems. Only then we can take action and find possible ways to end these problems. A simple act of kindness will bring smiles to our fellowman whom we do not know what they do in order to survive everyday life. With the help of scouting and the Dialogue for Peace Program, we are showing the citizens of our city, our countrymen, and perhaps the world, that creating a better world that sees each other equally and lends a helping hand through each other, unites us with a common goal of loving our neighbors, our brothers and sisters, unconditionally.

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