AFP Mobile Kitchen: feeding the nation in times of crisis

By Garry Cativo

We all know that the soldiers’ main role is to protect the people and to secure our state. But most of us don’t know that our men and women in uniform go the extra mile to perform their duties to the people-to the point of putting their lives at stake.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been on the front line of all the calamities and disasters that are happening now.

In 2020, the pandemic turned the life of every Filipino around. It has left thousands of people jobless, hungry, and dead.

During this difficult time, MGen Ernesto Torres Jr. (AFP), the Commander of the Civil Relations Services-Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP), pitched the idea of using the AFP Mobile Kitchen as a tool to serve the civilians. The AFP Mobile Kitchen (AFPMK) is one of the projects under the AFP “Kapwa Ko, Sagot Ko” advocacy, which was conceptualized by the CRSAFP, through the leadership of MGen Torres. It was originally intended to provide food for the troops, who fought at the Battle of Marawi in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

The Vessel of Blessings

Major Louzel L. Lara (AGS) PA, Group Commander, Media and Civil Affairs Group, CRSAFP, led the operation of the AFP Mobile Kitchen in areas affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila. Major Lara said that the “Kapwa Ko, Sagot Ko” campaign helped provide the basic needs of the disadvantaged individuals in different communities, with the help of AFP’s partners and stakeholders. It utilized the AFP Mobile Kitchen to provide hot meals to the homeless, street dwellers, poorest of the poor, and residents of areas with security risk, and those areas that are tagged as high-risk for COVID-19 infection.

The AFP Mobile Kitchen, also called the “Vessel of Blessings,” is made up of two large trucks. It is operated by soldiers

trained in culinary arts, kitchen personnel from the Office of the Quarter Master General (OTQMG), support personnel from the CRSAF, who handle beneficiary identification and security, and the civilian volunteers, who distribute food at the dropoff points. In 2020, the AFP Mobile Kitchen first operated on April 20 to 23, in Tatalon, Quezon City, while the General Community Quarantine was in place. They distributed around 21,450 hot meals, and 15,000 pieces of bread from their partner agency, the Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA). Major Lara said, “During the earlier months of the pandemic, we operated almost every week. We’ve been to the following cities: San Juan City, Malabon City, City of Manila, Marikina City, Pasig City, Parañaque City, Quezon City and even in some areas of San Mateo, Rizal. A total of about 100,000 hot meals and 70,000 breads were distributed to the communities in the said cities.” She added, “This is not an easy operation for us. Basically, coordination and implementation was a challenge, due to safety procedures and protocols that must be complied with. Also, the anxiety of being infected by the virus made it more difficult for us. The orchestration of the daily operations with the civilian volunteers that were tapped to help in the distribution of the food was also a challenge.” But despite the challenges, Major Lara said that it was satisfying to witness the frowns turning into smiles. “Walang kapalit na kasiyahan ’yon,” she said. “You can see hope in their faces. You can see the gratitude in their smiles, and you can feel the warmth of their appreciation in their waves and goodbyes.” The AFP Mobile Kitchen’s operation would not have been successful without the help of AFP’s partners, stakeholders, donors, sponsors, and the civilian volunteers. Major Lara said, “The AFP is truly thankful to everyone who helps in the operation of the Mobile Kitchen. It has become a symbol of renewed ‘Bayanihan’. More than the food given, the AFP was able to share hope, a taste of happiness and humanity, and a glimpse of compassion and empathy during this crisis.”