Blessing in Exchange

Managing resources and finances is one of the learning people got from this pandemic. Many people haven't had a chance to earn money while staying at home during the lockdown. Particularly, the ones mostly affected by it are those who earn income on a daily basis such as farmers and market vendors, living hand to mouth. This paved way for the people in Koronadal City, Iloilo City, and Bacolod City to come up in a unique way to cope with these trying times without the use of money - the comeback of Barter System.
Barter System is an ancient exchange process used even before Spanish came to our country. It has been used for centuries and long before money was developed. People traded services and goods for other services and goods in return. In ancient times, this system involved people in the same area; however today bartering is going global thanks to the internet and social media platforms. Citizens of these places created social media accounts such as the Barter Challenge Koronadal, Iloilo Barter Community and the Bacolod Barter community.
Tough times are teaching us to be more resourceful and creative to survive. Likewise these help to flagship the concern for people and our environments because the barter system is an opportunity to reduce, reuse and recycle. Further, we learn to let go of things we held precious in the past for things more valuable at the moment. Definitely, one man's trash is another man's treasure, and the process of surviving amidst pandemic is just around the corner. Let us open our minds and heart to spread love and care for our people and home called Earth.