Samalahat Advocacy

11/05/2026

Community Pantry Initiative
May 10–11, 2026
Locations: Pueblocillo, Brgy. Langkaan 1, and University Hills Estate, Sampaloc IV, Dasmariñas, Cavite

As we celebrated Mother’s Day, we were once again able to organize a community pantry and community kitchen in the community of Pueblocillo.

Through the help of our friend Rafael Cardino, we were able to secure rescued vegetables from the Cordillera region, including cabbage, sayote, potatoes, and broccoli. Rafael contacted us last Saturday to inform us about the difficult situation faced by farmers in the Cordillera. Despite the risks and expenses, many farmers transported their vegetables to Metro Manila in the hope that their products could still be sold at a price that would allow them to earn at least a small income.
At that time, our remaining funds were only around ₱3,100. Rafael took the initiative to contribute an additional ₱1,000 and personally covered the delivery expenses from Quezon City to Dasmariñas, Cavite.

During the community pantry in Pueblocillo, Nanay Nitz, a senior resident in the neighborhood, also took the initiative to contribute ₱500. She suggested that the money be used to buy additional ingredients for pancit, including chicken and carrots. Together with volunteer Ate Jing, she helped prepare and cook the food while also assisting in organizing the pantry. By around 3:00 PM, Nanay Nitz and the volunteers were able to share pancit with members of the community.

From both community pantry activities, it is estimated that around 40 families were able to receive food and vegetables through the initiative.

This experience showed how initiative, cooperation, and collective care can create meaningful support within communities. It became a living example that the culture of sharing remains alive, and that people continue to act based on what they can contribute, no matter how small. We only need to observe more deeply and recognize the many forms of solidarity already existing within our communities, and continue normalizing this ancient yet still powerful culture of mutual aid and care.

From Pueblocillo to University Hills Estate

On the second day, we still had remaining supplies, and we decided to bring them to University Hills Estate in Brgy. Sampaloc IV.

This initiative became possible through Karen, a local community member who reached out to us and expressed her hope that a similar pantry could also be organized in their community.

When we coordinated with her, she immediately started mobilizing volunteers and organizing within the neighborhood.
The community itself provided the coordination, tables, and local support, while residents informed one another about the pantry. As people received goods from the pantry, it was noticeable that many only took enough for what they needed for a single meal. This simple act reflected the community’s care and consideration for one another.

The pantry was mainly organized and managed by mothers from the community, including Ate Terre, a local community leader.

Overall, our experience throughout these two days of activity was one of the most meaningful and inspiring community initiatives we have witnessed.

We also want to express our deep appreciation to all of our partners and supporters throughout this initiative:

READ PH
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief - Search and Rescue
All local networks, volunteers, and community members who became part of this effort

We sincerely hope that this initiative can continue and be sustained. We understand that building a culture of solidarity is not something achieved overnight. However, we also know that the culture of sharing and care already exists within communities—we simply need to continue practicing and normalizing it.

A community pantry is not only a space for distributing resources; it is also a tool for survival, solidarity, and social change.

26/04/2026

Community Pantry – Week 3 | April 26, 2026
Our 3rd week and 3rd round of Community

Pantry in Pueblocillo, Brgy. Langkaan 1, Dasmariñas, Cavite successfully shared simple but meaningful food packs with our neighbors — including garlic, onions, and 33 packs of mixed pakbet and chopsuey vegetables.

For many below-minimum-wage earners, these basic ingredients are already a big help, especially while prices of commodities remain high. The smiles and gratitude from the community remind us why this initiative matters.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our long-time advocacy partner READ Ph, our local network from Mutual Aid Disaster Relief – Search and Rescue and Blue Earth Defense Philippines, and our dedicated local volunteers who helped procure, set up, and spread the word.

We will continue this initiative for as long as we can — promoting a culture of sharing, solidarity, cooperation, and mutual aid, especially in times of crisis.

If you would like to support this initiative, you may contact us through our page.

20/04/2026

19/04/2026

April 19, 2026
Community Pantry – Round 2 (Pueblocillo)

Today marks Round 2 of our community pantry in Pueblocillo. As this is our first time organizing here, many neighbors are still shy to participate. We expected this in a society long shaped by competition rather than sharing.

This is exactly why initiatives like this matter. We are slowly nurturing a culture of sharing, solidarity, and cooperation—making these values part of our everyday practice, within our own capacity. Step by step, we reclaim the community and resist the feeling of being strangers to one another in an unjust culture.

In response, one of our neighbors, Kuya Bogs, volunteered to collect the remaining vegetables and personally deliver them house to house to families who were not able to come yesterday.

A simple yet powerful act of solidarity and care.

Maraming salamat, Kuya Bogs!

Mabuhay ang kultura ng kapwa-tulungan at bahaginan!

18/04/2026

April 18, 2026
Location: Pueblocilo Subd., Brgy. Langkaan 1, Dasmariñas, Cavite
Community Pantry Update

Another round of community pantry was successfully organized in Pueblocilo, Dasmariñas, Cavite.

As the Philippines continues to feel the ripple effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East—particularly through rising oil prices that trigger a domino effect on the cost of basic goods—many communities are experiencing increased economic strain. This is especially true for below-minimum-wage earners in and around Metro Manila.

In response, we set up this community pantry as a form of collective support.

Through this initiative, we were able to distribute approximately:

20 kg of packed vegetables (chopsuey and pakbet mix)
Onions and garlic

Around 25 families were able to receive these basic food packs.

This effort was made possible through the solidarity and support of our comrades from Samalahat Advocacy and our long-term partner READ PH, who provided financial assistance.

We also extend our gratitude to our local network and volunteers who helped make this possible—from preparation to implementation and post-activity efforts:

1. Mutual Aid Disaster Relief – Search and Rescue
2. Blue Earth Defense PH
3. Community volunteers who helped spread the word

A few packs are still available, and the pantry will continue until supplies last.

We also have remaining funds and are planning to organize another round next weekend.

For those who would like to support this initiative, you may reach out to us directly through our page.

We are deeply encouraged by the community’s appreciation of these simple vegetable packs. This small act reminds us that one of the most essential ingredients in building resilient communities is solidarity, cooperation, and collective care.

02/04/2026

Bringing your child and standing alongside your wife in this kind of initiative is already a meaningful victory. It shows that the values of care, solidarity, and mutual aid are not only practiced in the community, but lived at home.

Because we believe that real change—real revolution—begins within the family, where these principles are first seen, felt, and learned.

01/04/2026

Together with our comrades from Mutual Aid Disaster Relief - Search & Rescue and Blue Earth Defense Ph, and with Ate Ally and Mike—our local volunteers from Pueblocillo—we conducted a Community Pantry today at the main gate of First Cavite Industrial Estate (FCIE).

Location: Brgy. Langkaan 1, Dasmariñas
In solidarity with FCIE toda and with all factory workers.

Date: April 1, 2026

We shared a variety of vegetables. Ampalaya, pepino, and papaya were purchased directly from local farmers in Amadeo. Other vegetables—talong, sitaw, labanos, kalabasa, carrots, sibuyas, bawang, kamatis, sayote, saluyot, and cabbage—were sourced directly from small vegetable vendors in Dasmariñas. Special thanks to one generous vendor who provided free upo.

Our heartfelt thanks to all local volunteers, the FCIE administration, and the security guards for their assistance, and to our local and international networks supporting this initiative.

Sharing is Caring.
Mutual Aid, Not Charity.
Solidarity Builds Power

01/04/2026

Meron ba kayong kilalang mga farmers around the Cavite area na nahihirapang ibenta ang kanilang produkto? O mga farmers mula sa ibang probinsya na nasa Cavite area at nahihirapan maghanap ng buyer.

PM Please!

Maraming salamat!

31/03/2026

Look! Fresh pepino, ampalaya, and papaya from Alfonso Cavite have just arrived at one of our sites here in Dasmariñas!

Directly from the farmers to the community.

We were also able to share some of the produce with the rider who delivered these goods. As we know, the transport sector is among the most affected by the continuing surge in oil prices.

Maraming salamat to our sister Hohana for making this initiative possible!