(L-R: Daniel Marogy, Managing Director of foodpanda Philippines, Toots Ople of Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, Hans Leo Cacdac Administrator of OWWA and Leopoldo De Castro Jr, foodpanda Philippines finance director)
Leading quick commerce platform provider foodpanda has partnered with the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute for the expansion of the BuyAnihan Palengke CSR initiative aimed at helping enterprising Filipinos become resellers of fresh produce sourced directly from local farmers.
The project transforms its beneficiaries to community resellers of fresh produce sourced directly from the farms and thereafter transported to BuyAnihan Palengke distribution hubs in Metro Manila. This results to livelihood opportunities for the beneficiaries, better prices to the farmers for the sale of their produce, and fresh quality products for consumer.
Dubbed as a Fruits and Veggies Street Fest, the outdoor food bazaar exhibit featured fresh vegetables & fruits and food & refreshments sold by the program’s beneficiaries.
“This project started as a local program “Salubong ng Carrots Atbp.” of the Caloocan City Government through its Caloocan Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CADAO) with the Diocese of Caloocan City to provide a sustainable livelihood to several of the city’s reformed drug dependents and displaced workers become vegetable resellers. It inspired us from the private sector partners - the Philippine Seven Corporation and foodpanda Philippines to participate and scale the program to reach other cities and people. It was the embodiment of the Filipino Bayanihan Spirit that this country is known for.” said Daniel Marogy, Managing Director of foodpanda Philippines.
Marogy explained that the special one-day food bazaar at Emerald Avenue in Ortigas marked a new phase of the project.
“And so we soft launch today the BuyAnihan Palengke Group Buy App that will help the program reach a wider market and make affordable fresh produce even more accessible to consumers. As we move forward with this project, BuyAnihan Palengke will be known not just as a CSR initiative but as a revolutionary social enterprise powered by a technology platform.” declared Marogy.
On top of the event’s food offerings, a tent was dedicated for the recruitment of potential new resellers of the project where interested visitors of the event may sign-up and be shown how the app works.
Expanding the project’s beneficiaries
Staying true to its objective of providing the underserved sector with a source of income, BuyAnihan Palengke’s resellers now include repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), local farmers, out-of-school youths, and solo parents, among others. It is also opening its doors to interested resellers as well as foodpanda’s own partner delivery riders.
The outdoor food bazaar was the first collaboration between foodpanda and Ople Center, a labor non-profit organization (NGO) and a known advocate of initiatives that aid struggling Filipinos looking for livelihood.
 |
| Susan Ople, President of Blas F. Ople Center |
“Unemployment and the lack of alternative sources of livelihood are two of the most serious economic dilemmas we are facing today. This project is a timely solution to this problem as we are able to onboard multiple sectors in just one program and provide them with a viable income stream,” tells Susan Ople, President of Blas F. Ople Center.
The CSR project includes training both OFWs and riders with basic skills and information necessary to prepare them for their new journey as resellers.
“With the expansion of the BuyAnihan Palengke livelihood program, we strive to innovate and look for more ways to help our stakeholders. We are happy and excited to see even more Filipinos get these livelihood opportunities,” says Leopoldo De Castro Jr, foodpanda Philippines finance director.
As foodpanda gives its full support to the launch event, its cute and adorable mascot, Pau-Pau also made his first public appearance as one of the event’s main attractions, visiting the bazaar’s various tents of food and vegetable offerings and greeting the bazaar visitors.
The BuyAnihan Palengke CSR Project aims to launch more projects and partnerships in the future directed at creating more livelihood opportunities for their beneficiaries, better prices to the farmers for the sale of their produce, and fresh quality products for consumers.
“Watch out for us as our increasing tribe of beneficiaries and resellers tour the Capital in the coming months to bring BuyAnihan Palengke closer to our homes.”said Ople.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
About Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute:
The Blas F. Ople Policy Center is a 17-year old NGO that serves migrant workers and their families, It currently sits as the NGO Rep for the OFW Sector in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). Named after and inspired by the late Labor and Foreign Affairs Secretary and Senate President Blas Ople, the policy center is headed by Susan Ople, his youngest daughter.
About foodpanda:
foodpanda is dedicated to bringing food lovers their favorite meals from curated local restaurants in the Philippines. Since its creation, the on-demand food delivery service has grown to more than 170,000 partner restaurants in more than 325 cities across 13 Asian and Central Europe markets. foodpanda Philippines currently operates in 150 cities and municipalities across the Philippines and continuously expanding. foodpanda is a subsidiary under Delivery Hero, a worldwide leader of the food delivery industry. For more information, visit www.foodpanda.ph.
How it works:
Through the foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their address and view a curated list of restaurants and shops serving their neighborhood. Once they have found their choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodpanda’s secure platform or via cash-on-delivery The order is then carefully prepared by the restaurant or shop, picked up by the foodpanda rider and delivered straight to their doorstep.
Follow us on:
Facebook: foodpandaphilippines
Twitter: foodpanda_ph
Instagram: foodpanda_ph
