A BARTER group has been created in Baguio City through social networking site Facebook to help citizens amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The group, named Baguio Barter Community Facebook page, was created by Tante Galang in May this year.
Galang said its aims to provide a place where people can trade unused items for grocery since cash is very limited.
“We started with around 100 members, then it quickly started peaking off when some of the members offered free groceries and goods. We now have around 9.5k members and still growing. This is a group for people looking to find great deals for their unused possessions,” Galang said, looking back at a spur of the moment decision to create the page for trade.
Galang said many of the members are senior citizens who have been stuck in their homes since March and resorted to cleaning out their stored items.
“Lalo na sa senior and mga asa bahay lang. Dati mga seniors or mga housewives pag may nakikita online na binebenta na gusto nila, nagtitiis na lang kasi naghihinayang sa pera na pwede gamitin sa mas importante na bagay. Ngayon puwede na nila makuha bagay na nagustuhan nila. Madidispose na nila mga bagay at home na matagal na nila di nagagamit tapos may chance pa sila magkaroon ng bago na bagay. Nakakatuwa na nalilibang sila ngayon,” Galang said.
Maricar Docyogen, president of the Pasakalye group of artists, said the platform has helped local artists get their needs during these time that the art market is down.
“They [the artists] are not shortchanged because they are the ones to offer what they want in exchange for the artwork, it is something they want,” Docyogen said.
Artists have posted masterpieces at the page in exchange for goods like laptops, new set of tires, paint, rice, groceries and mechanical needs they are constrained to purchase.
The exchange has gained a steady following through the weeks and have a group of waiting patrons ready to exchange goods for quality artwork.
“This is timely, especially now that there is less money circulating because of the pandemic,” Docyogen said.
The Baguio Barter Community prohibits cash, bank and crypto currency transactions. The group stressed that the medium of exchange is goods and items.
Members of the group have to post the actual photo of the item they intend to trade and reminded to be specific and honest with the item if it is a replica, second hand, with flaws, heavily used, barely used.
Reason for bartering may also be specified and indicate what is needed in return. All transactions have to be transparent.
Galang said the page has also opened a lot of ways good Samaritans can help, with reports that some have given far beyond the requests of those bartering goods and sometimes, just giving in to requests for food and goods without getting the item up for barter.
She said there are a lot of members who have taken it as personal mission of give milk, groceries and diapers to those asking for them.
“Madaming mabait na tao pa rin sa atin, and this page will prove the kindness of our community,” Galang said.