In a statement, the governance watchdog and think-tank Pinoy Aksyon for Governance and the Environment (Pinoy Aksyon) said the long lines at community pantries mushrooming around the country and the death of 67-year-old Rolando Dela Cruz are testaments of the government's failure in responding to the COVID-19 crisis which resulted in run-away infections and widespread hunger.

“Rather than vilify the actress-philanthropist, why don't we ask the local government of Quezon City -- what has it done to alleviate hunger amidst the Covid lockdown? Ano na-ambag nila sa tulong – kahit yung protection ng mga community pantries? Ano ba ginawa ng administrasyon ni Mayor Joy Belmonte," the think-tank asked.

"Hindi lang yata blind ang LGU sa gutom na nararanasan ng maraming constituents nila, wala ring alam at paki-alam sa mga initiatives of the people helping each other," said BenCy G. Ellorin, chairperson of Pinoy Aksyon.

"Simple lang naman ang logic, may gustong tumulong, expected na maraming tao ang dadalo, eh dapat yung local government should also lend its personnel to ensure minimum health standards are observed," he added.

The community pantry, according to the group, is rooted in the Filipino's Bayanihan culture.

It is also 'cooperativism' in action – when people turn to mutual help in times of crises. It is a coping mechanism to fill in a vacuum or as a way of balancing or correcting a social instability.

The think-tank noted that no less than the constitution and our laws recognize 'cooperativism 'as an enabler "of equity, social justice, and economic development."

"When people invoke deep into their culture to adapt to crises, that is a wake up call to government na may problema, may kakulangan sa serbisyo niya. Na dapat lutasin yung problema, and suportahan yung initiatives ng community to solve the problem," the group stated.