By Lade Jean Kabagani
Indigent families will benefit from a free grocery store put up by Barangay Ermitaño in San Juan City.
The Ermitaño free store (EFS), inaugurated on Monday after the village council’s approval on March 26, will cater to marginalized families affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
It is not entirely a free store though as it involves a cash-for-work program that will require indigent residents to render community services in exchange for free grocery items.
Services include street sweeping, cleaning own yards, attending village meetings, and participating in other village activities.
Each involvement will have a point equivalent. An initial 500-point voucher will be given to identified households.
The vouchers can be used as payment in the EFS.
Mayor Francis Zamora lauded the village's initiative, saying it demonstrated the spirit of “bayanihan” (cooperation) amid the prevailing health crisis.
"Nagbibigay ng dignidad sa mga San Juaneñong patuloy na nagsusumikap para itawid ang kanilang pamilya sa krisis na ating pinagdadaanan (It gives dignity to San Juaneños who continue to work hard for their families amid the crisis that we are going through)," he said.
The free store accepts donations of additional supplies such as canned goods, clothing, or any food and non-food items like medicines to reach more indigent villagers.
