SM launches Farmers’ Produce
SM Supermalls recently launched Farmers’ Produce, a first-of-its-kind joint project with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Resto PH, an association of restaurant owners, with two legs held at the weekend market at SM Aura, Taguig.
SM shoppers can benefit from the partnership which will be implemented in many SM malls nationwide.
“Through this project, SM malls across the country will be selling fresh and organic produce to help our farmers. This is only the beginning and we look forward to implementing more initiatives that will support local farmers and small businesses, to help boost the country’s economy during this time,” said SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.
Farmers’ Produce is part of the government’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Program, the flagship market development program of the DA, and aims to support local farmers and restaurants that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Through this project, they will be able to sell their produce directly to restaurant owners and those who want to be of help to MSMEs.
“We hope this project will do a lot of good for our farmers by bringing their produce to our table,” added Eric Teng, president of Resto PH and Mango Tree Bistro.
TLDC assists Davao communities
Torre Lorenzo Development Corp. (TLDC) mobilized its Davao team to provide assistance to frontliners and affected communities in the region.
TLDC chief executive officer Tomas Lorenzo said the company distributed rice to partner barangays in Davao City and Davao de Oro and pastries from the dusitD2 Davao hotel to healthcare workers at the Southern Philippines Medical Center and Davao Doctors Hospital, members of the local government units in Davao and Davao De Oro, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Lorenzo added TLDC that extended support to the AFP East Mindanao Command through financial assistance and facilitated the distribution of care packages that contained basic commodities such as rice and canned goods.
Through the development of premium lifestyle properties, TLDC has invested in the economy, tourism, and future of the Davao region. From pioneering premium university residences, TLDC has expanded into mixed-used developments and townships in emerging urban centers across the country.
Paymaya distributes SAP through sari-sari stores
Smart Padala by PayMaya agents in select areas around the country are now equipped with QR (quick response) codes for faster and safer contactless way to encash funds for beneficiaries of the second tranche of the Department of Welfare and Development (DSWD) Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
PayMaya has been tapped by the DSWD to distribute the financial aid, which ranges from P5,000 to P8,000 depending on the beneficiary’s location, through the PayMaya accounts of the recipients in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 3, Region 4-A, and Region 7, among others.
In these areas, Smart Padala by PayMaya agents in neighborhood communities will serve as encashment touchpoints for individuals and families severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic identified as SAP beneficiaries.
With over 30,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide, Smart Padala has the most extensive domestic remittance network in the country.
Aside from the disbursement of the SAP financial aid, PayMaya has also been working with the DSWD in distributing funds to beneficiaries of its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program.
Refreshed by hope: Frontliners help communities with Coca Cola
Outstanding individuals who are inspiring hope and bringing back faith in humanity include volunteer workers from the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Foundation.
Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran’s Baldwin Kho, 49, was going about his usual duties, preparing goods and food packs for their Taal Volcano relief operations, when he heard the news about the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Despite the risks and uncertainties, he still offered his aid and assistance when TOWNS Foundation called for a team of volunteers for their response efforts.
Other volunteers like Larry Boja, Philline Cruz and Germaine Fay Ramirez stood steadfast and dedicated their time and health as the nation grappled with the consequences of the global pandemic.
The unwavering commitment to help the country recover is a mission shared by PDRF, TOWNS Foundation, and Coca-Cola Philippines. Since the lockdown, the Company has been relentless in their support of relief operations by organizations, bringing medical resources and donations to medical institutions.
Coca-Cola has so far reached out to various organizations to aid in their relief efforts, providing 174,382 PPEs to 51,167 frontliners, distributing food packs to over 60,000 families across the country, and donating more than 2M litres of beverages to over 800 hospitals, NGOs, local government units, and national government agencies. Local resources were augmented with grants to NGOs for PPEs and food packs from The Coca-Cola Foundation.
“It is during these challenging times that we really see the Filipino spirit of togetherness and positiveness burning bright as they help and encourage one another in the front lines,” says Winn Everhart, Coca-Cola Philippines president and general manager. “We are inspired by the countless acts of goodwill and selflessness of these people, helping reinforce our faith in the human race and giving us hope that we will emerge victorious from this crisis together.”
