LIFE SCAVENGING
Uncovering the Untold Truth of Food Insecurity
LIFE SCAVENGING: Uncovering the Untold Truth of Food Insecurity
“Anak, pagpagan mo iyang kamay mo dahil marumi.”
1 This line might true to many Filipinos to be like an approach of a nagging mother to her child because the child might be playing along with dirt, mud, or something unhygienic but does it make sense when we say pagpag in dealing with hunger and poverty? Let’s take a look.
2 Today, let’s explore food scavenging and the brutal realities of food insecurity—a topic that will both open our eyes and be extremely important for us to comprehend. Although the term “pagpag” may be used casually, what does it actually mean? So grab a seat, because we’re going to reveal the real story behind this practice and how it affects our community.
And what exactly is “pagpag”?
3 Imagine yourself strolling down the street and spotting someone going through garbage cans, trying to save any food scraps they can. That, my friends, is “pagpag”—the practice of gathering food scraps left behind by others and ingesting them. It’s not always a matter of locating leftovers; occasionally, one must locate food that has gone bad or is frozen solid. It seems harsh, don’t you think?
4 Technically, the difficulty is that “pagpag” is really a symptom of a far more serious problem, which is food poverty. People turn to desperate tactics like scavenging for crumbs when they don’t have consistent access to enough nourishing food. It serves as a sharp reminder of the difficult circumstances that our society’s most defenseless citizens must deal with.
5 Let’s discuss the dangers associated with this type of scavenging. Consuming food from garbage cans exposes people to a wide range
of health risks, including hazardous chemicals and pathogens. It’s simply a formula for disaster. Additionally, there’s no assurance that the food is safe to consume even if it appears appropriate at first. This is a risk that might have fatal implications.
Other food substitutes
6 However, there are substitutes, such as “pastil,” a traditional Filipino meal that has grown in popularity as a more sanitary and affordable choice for people experiencing food hardship. Usually, seasoned shredded beef or chicken is layered over steaming rice and wrapped in banana leaves for extra taste. Pastil is made under hygienic and sanitary circumstances, guaranteeing its safety for consumption, in contrast to scavenged food. Even while it might not have the same visual appeal as a nice dinner, pastil provides a filling and healthy alternative for those who are experiencing food poverty. We make progress in guaranteeing that every member of our community has access to wholesome food by accepting substitutes like pastil.
What young people can do
7 What can young people do to address this then? Let’s first and foremost raise awareness of the potentially hazardous effects of scavenging for food along with the awful reality of food insecurity. Let’s back projects that give individuals in need access to reasonably priced and wholesome meals. Furthermore, let’s support laws that deal with the underlying issues that contribute to food insecurity, such as inequality and poverty.
8 By working together, we can ensure that no one needs to turn to scavenging for food in order to survive. It’s time to reverse the current trend and establish a society where food security is performed, embodied, and considered a fundamental human right.
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