by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 7, 2021 | Advocacy
Jollibee Group Chairman and Founder, Tony Tan Caktiong, decided to pursue a bold and valuable idea back in 2008. He thought: what if the company were to buy directly from farmers so they can have a regular and stable market to sell to? This comes from a recognition that even if agriculture is one of the country’s key sectors, farmers remain to be among the country’s most vulnerable, and their lack of opportunities and resources prevents them from earning a higher income.
Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the company’s social development arm, then took on the challenge of translating the idea into the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which would eventually link small-scale farmers to their supply chain.
Today, the white onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables that the company uses in Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal come directly from small-scale farmers across the Philippines. JGF gives us a peek into how over 500 farmers from 17 farmer groups have Grown with Joy and earned their place in big markets in the video essay that the Foundation recently released.
Enabling Growth
Products grown with Joy. Jollibee Group Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program enables farmers to become entrepreneurs who supply big buyers such as the Jollibee Group.
At the heart of FEP is a stack of interventions that help farmers sharpen their technical skills and business acumen. JGF starts by partnering with organizations across the country to help farmers form clusters, so they can collectively meet the volume and quality requirements of big buyers and market their produce.
In 2018, JGF developed a training program to train Agro-entrepreneurship Facilitators who guide farmer groups towards becoming farmer entrepreneurs. This year, JGF brought this training program online in partnership with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan entitled “Agro-Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Value Chains: An Introduction.”
As a group, FEP farmers can scale their operations, successfully maintain their status as Jollibee Group suppliers and find other markets. Growing and scaling means that farmer groups need to comply with standards such as the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) promoted by the Department of Agriculture.
A requirement of the Jollibee Group among its agriculture-based suppliers, PhilGAP guides farmers in addressing different aspects of on-farm production and post-production processes that result in safe and quality agricultural products.
Since 2009, FEP farmers have consolidated and delivered more than 7,000 metric tons or 700 truckloads of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, earning more than P300 million in total sales. Furthermore, 94% of FEP farmer groups are already GAP-certified as the others continue to work towards this milestone.
Sharing the joy
Gisela Tiongson
“It brings us real joy that We have helped hundreds of farmers embark on a journey to rediscover and even totally embrace farming. FEP has emboldened them to dream bigger and has given them the tools necessary to turn them into reality,’’ says Gisela Tiongson, JGF Executive Director.
Ligaya Miras, a farmer leader of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Cebu City reflects on her journey. “Being an FEP farmer means I am not just a farmer, but also an entrepreneur.’’ She adds, “Farming is not just a source of livelihood. For me, it is a mission. If there are no farmers, who will feed people? I am proud to be a farmer.’’
Farmers who are part of the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program help the Jollibee Group spread the joy of eating by supplying the ingredients for some of the favorite products from Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal.
From the white onions used in the Jollibee Yumburger, to the spring onions sprinkled on the Chowking Chao Fan, and the green bell peppers we enjoy in the Greenwich Hawaiian Overload Pizza—FEP farmers truly help spread the joy of eating among countless Filipinos every day.
To learn more about the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program and to watch the video essay inspired by the growth of FEP farmers, visit the Jollibee Group Foundation official Facebook Page at fb.com/JollibeeGroupFoundationInc.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 11, 2021 | Advocacy
Before the pandemic started, the Philippines was seen to have steady economic growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia with an average GDP of 6.3% over the ten years until 2019.
However, the onset of the global health crisis brought the country’s economy into recession, breaking almost three decades of uninterrupted growth. Since the pandemic started, the country’s COVID-19 cases are now over 1.6 million as per the Department of Health (DOH) data.
Major metropolitan areas like Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, posted the bulk of the COVID-19 cases, and various degrees of community quarantine are implemented to control the spread of the virus.
Helping alleviate challenges
Aligned with their mission and vision of understanding and meeting the real needs of people, Orient Euro Pharma Philippines (OEPP), a company creating innovative, affordable, and high-quality pharmaceutical products for cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory infections, initiated a program to help alleviate the challenges in the country.
Through their Project #Hope or Helping Our Patients Every day, OEP recently donated the much-needed Erdosteine to key government COVID-19 medical facilities.
Erdosteine is a mucolytic indicated for the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis. It has been the subject of numerous clinical trials, showing to be effective as an add-on treatment to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients for as long as 12 months.
Adding Erdosteine to the usual treatment therapy of hospitalized patients with COVID-related pneumonia and severe respiratory failure helps improve their overall health-related quality of life, says a study published in Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine 2020 journal.
Orient Euro Pharma visits VMMC
As part of their corporate responsibility program, OEPP’s #HOPE aims to support around 600 post-covid patients from hospitals, such as the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, the Philippine General Hospital Section of Pulmonology, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.
Orient Euro Pharma visits PGH
“As we create more plans to help the people amid the global health crisis, we hope that this small donation initiative we did can have a huge impact on the patients’ lives. This initiative is also our way of giving back to the community and supporting the Filipino patients afflicted with this deadly disease,” said Sharon Ibay, Product Manager.
Founded in 1982, OEP is a full-scale, multinational pharmaceutical company. Their core competencies not only include pharmaceutical innovation, R&D, manufacturing, sales, and clinical trials but have significantly increased the company’s operational efficiency through vertical integration to provide customers with more complete services.
To know more about Orient Euro Pharma, check out their website at https://www.oepgroup.com/en-global.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 25, 2021 | Advocacy
Close to 500 houses for families displaced by the conflict in Marawi have been built as part of the partnership to support the city’s rehabilitation by leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc., the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
By the end of April 2021,491 of the 1,057 housing units planned for the first phase of the project were either completed or under construction. Holcim Philippines has supplied close to 72,000 bags of general-purpose cement Holcim Excel to the project sites in Marawi through its plant in Lugait, Misamis Oriental. Additional 85,000 bags of Holcim Excel will be used for the rest of the houses.
The reconstruction is being led by Marawi residents, 116 of whom were trained and certified by TESDA under Holcim Philippines’ ‘galing Mason program. The masonry skills and certification from TESDA will enable beneficiaries to explore job opportunities in other areas after completing the construction projects in Marawi.
Holcim Philippines Vice President for Communications Cara Ramirez: “We are pleased that this partnership project with the UN-Habitat is progressing well and helping the City of Marawi rise again. This wonderful update is a welcome development as we join the nation for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The continued recovery of Marawi is a testament to the resilience of Filipinos, and shows how our products are making a difference in the lives of our countrymen and the progress of the nation.”
UN-Habitat Country Programme Manager Christopher Rollo: “Eid Mubarak to our Muslim brothers and sisters! The Rebuilding Marawi Project, funded by the People of Japan, is steadily moving forward towards its goal of providing permanent houses to 1,057 families affected by the 2017 Marawi Siege. The ongoing permanent shelter construction in four resettlement sites and the turnover of Hadiya Village to 109 families are project milestones made possible by various partnerships forged along the course of project implementation. UN-Habitat is grateful for the strong partnership it has built with Holcim Philippines – access to cement is one major aspect of the partnership that kept the construction of houses unhampered amidst the mobility restrictions posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The project is part of a multi-sector effort to rebuild Marawi after a devastating conflict there several years ago that displaced nearly 80,000 families. In addition to UN-Habitat and TESDA, the project is supported by the Government of Japan, the Task Force Bangon Marawi, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Philippine Stock Exchange: HLCM) is one of the leading building solution companies in the country. The Company has a deep portfolio of innovative solutions fostered by a full range of products from structuring to finishing applications that can help local builders execute with high performance and efficiency a wide range of projects from massive infrastructure to simple home repairs.
With cement manufacturing facilities in La Union, Bulacan, Batangas, Misamis Oriental, and Davao, as well as aggregates and dry mix business and technical support facilities for building solutions, Holcim Philippines is a reliable partner of builders in the country.
Holcim Philippines is also committed to the highest standards of sustainable operations and manufacturing excellence with its plants certified under ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management System), ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management System), and OHSAS 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System).
Holcim Philippines is a member of the LafargeHolcim Group, the world leader in the building materials industry present in 80 countries with over 75,000 employees.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 26, 2021 | Advocacy
Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) — the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country — donated more than 800 COVID-19 Rapid Test kits to Naga City.
PCPPI Bicol Regional Operations General Manager Francisco L. Escala, Jr. turned over the test kits to Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, aiming to help the local government unit maintain its health and safety standards to stop the spread of the virus in the Bicol region.
In the photo are (from left) PCPPI Operations Manager Emmanuel Manaog, Territory Manager Sharmaine Banaag, HR Manager Roxana Ulpindo, Finance Manager Jose Bergonio, General Manager Francisco Escala, Jr., and Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 21, 2020 | Advocacy
Casa de Memoria reached out to the victims of Typhoon Ulysses by helping raise funds for the #RisePH donation drive. The Lhuillier-managed auction house also continued its charity efforts for COVID-19 patients and frontliners by donating a part of the proceeds to the maintenance of the emergency quarantine facility in Sta. Ana Hospital.
To help Typhoon Ulysses victims, Casa de Memoria’s donation will be used to provide relief packs containing food, water, and hygiene essentials for affected families.
Camille Lhuillier
“Just when we thought we’ve already had enough challenges this year, another one comes along. However, this should not bring us down; rather, it should fuel our intention and dedication to lend a hand to those who need it. By helping each other, we can rise together without leaving anyone behind,” said Palacio de Memoria general manager Camille Lhuillier.
The Cuarto auction was Casa de Memoria’s fourth and final major auction event for the year. It featured exquisite Filipino and European art pieces that can be used as Holiday gifts and home décor.
For more information, visit www.casadememoria.com or follow @thecasadememoria on Facebook and @casadememoria on Instagram.
The #RisePH donation was done in partnership with One Mega Group.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 3, 2020 | Advocacy
Pepsi Cola Product Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) — the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages and snacks in the country — strengthened its commitment to support the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2020 Brigada Eskwela to ensure that quality basic education will continue despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
PCPPI recently organized a Brigada Eskwela donation drive to raise material resources to help students and teachers adapt to new modes of blended learning during these challenging times.
Vivian Cheong, PCPPI’s SVP for HR and Corporate Affairs
“PCPPI has always been fully supportive of DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela initiatives since 2015. And now, as the shift to remote learning was implemented across the country, schools need our help all the more to provide them with tools to facilitate online teaching and ensure continuity of education. Under any circumstance, no students shall be left behind,” said Vivian Cheong, PCPPI’s SVP for HR and Corporate Affairs.
PCPPI was able to gather materials for module production, printers, and equipment for connectivity. This is to ensure that the learning delivery modalities are effectively implemented and education remains accessible to all.
The donations were turned over to PCPPI plants’ adopted schools in different communities all over the Philippines last October, just in time for the opening of classes. Beneficiary schools include 18 Elementary and High Schools across the country which belong to communities that host PCPPI’s various manufacturing plants and offices.
Aligned with their mission and vision of understanding and meeting the real needs of people, Orient Euro Pharma Philippines (OEPP), a company creating innovative, affordable, and high-quality pharmaceutical products for cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory infections, initiated a program to help alleviate the challenges in the country.
Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Philippine Stock Exchange: HLCM) is one of the leading building solution companies in the country. The Company has a deep portfolio of innovative solutions fostered by a full range of products from structuring to finishing applications that can help local builders execute with high performance and efficiency a wide range of projects from massive infrastructure to simple home repairs.
Holcim Philippines is also committed to the highest standards of sustainable operations and manufacturing excellence with its plants certified under ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management System), ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management System), and OHSAS 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System).
Pepsi Cola Product Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) — the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages and snacks in the country — strengthened its commitment to support the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2020 Brigada Eskwela to ensure that quality basic education will continue despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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