By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

Continuing the Saranay spirit amid trying times, various units of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) have established their own kinds of community pantry to provide goods to Ilokano communities, as well as to encourage their fellows to also extend hearty help. 

These groups are the Animal Science Students Association (ASSA) of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD), the English Language Society of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA). 

‘Sibol: Ang Bagong Pag-ASSA pantry’

BS Agriculture (BSA) major in Animal Science students set up a community pantry dubbed Sibol: Ang Bagong Pag-ASSA in front of the University Science and Technology (S&T) Park last May 8. 

Benefiting more than 200 individuals from Batac and Paoay, the pantry contained essential goods such as rice, assorted fruits and vegetables, eggs, salt, canned goods, noodles, biscuits, coffee, homemade candies, and detergent powder. 

These were produced through monetary and in-kind donations from the BSA students and faculty, alumni of the college, and other agencies such as the Provincial Veterinary Office, and local government units of Pasuquin and Burgos. 

Ms. Joan Rarogal, ASSA adviser, said the Sibol pantry “is our simple way of helping the community in coping with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

‘Literacy pantry’

Meanwhile, the BA English Language and the Master of Arts in English Language students initiated a literacy pantry to help the youth in their studies. 

Produced via donations from students, faculty, and other individuals, the pantry contains textbooks, other reading materials, and school supplies. 

The English language students of CAS and Graduate School set up their first pantry in barangay Pasil, Paoay last May 9. Here, more than 50 individuals were given books and other materials. 

Ms. Danica Hannah Pastor, adviser of the English Language Society (ELSoc), said they will also build literacy pantries in barangay Bascil, Laoag City and in Batac City public market on May 23. 

She said those who want to donate books for the next pantries can contact the ELSoc’s official Facebook page (@MMSUELSociety). 

Donors may drop their in-kind donations at MMSU-CAS or send them via courier services (Receiver: English Language Society; Contact no.: 09121113740; Address: Brgy. #16 Quiling Sur, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, Mariano Marcos State University - College of Arts and Sciences). 

For cash donations, donors may send them through Gcash (Account Name: Andrea Oshea Prieto; Account Number: 099883073851). To properly account the donations, message the screenshot of the transfer receipt to @MMSUELSociety. 

‘People pantry’

In a bid to strengthen job competencies of MMSU graduating students, the CBEA conducted a webinar dubbed ‘People Pantry’ last May 14. 

Attended by 224 students from CBEA, CAS, and College of Teacher Education via Zoom, the virtual pantry taught them how to ace a job interview and were oriented on the essentials of employee relations. 

Two CBEA alumni served as resource speakers in the webinar: Ms. Tezza Leeh L. Domingo and Mr. Marc Stephen M. Suppiah. Domingo is a human resource manager of the Venvi Group of Companies in Mandaluyong City, while Suppiah is a human resource specialist of Oriente Express Techsystem Corporation in Taguig City. 

Dr. Angelina Abrojena, CBEA dean, said they decided to conduct this type of pantry to help develop career competence of students and prepare them to future employment. 

She added the ‘people pantry’ is in line with the Balik-Alumni virtual program of the university, which primarily aims to invite successful graduates to their alma mater to share their services in different ways. (StratCom)