Coca-Cola, TESDA, DTI, and USAID continue their commitment towards helping micro-entrepreneurs in the new normal

Coca-Cola Philippines continues to enable the survival and growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who were hard hit by the pandemic and the lockdowns, by following through on the initial roll-out of its Rebuilding Sari-Sari Stores Through Access to Resources and Trade (ReSTART) program. 

A partnership program of Coca-Cola Philippines, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), this undertaking supports the safe reopening of thousands of “sari-sari” (community convenience) stores across the country. This partnership is indeed a “testament that we are one in bringing the Philippines to resiliency and recovery,” Secretary Isidro Lapena, Director General of TESDA said.

Complementing the existing Safe Store Movement and the Retailer’s Rebuild component – the former, promoting safe stores operations under the new normal through a massive information drive; and the latter, a P157-million bridge loan support fund targeted for sari-sari stores and “carinderias” (community cafeterias), with eligible beneficiaries receiving a P10,000 loan package – Safe Store Education provides access to online training and education on how to operate a retail business safely in these uncertain times. 

Safe Store Education aims to translate the government-issued safety guidelines and protocols into a more simple, practical, and easily understandable guide for micro-retailers to adapt.

“I believe the Safe Store Education component brings to life three values of Filipinos: “Malasakit” – a deep concern to not leave anyone behind; “kalinga” – to care for others in need; and “bayanihan” – the ability to come together and pool resources for the common good,” Jonah de Lumen-Pernia, Public Affairs and Communications Director of Coca-Cola Philippines, said. “All of these signal a restart for every Filipino and for the country.”

Providing a picture of the difficult situation facing MSMEs, TESDA Deputy Director General Aniceto R. Bertiz III said: “In the wake of the pandemic, many micro, small and medium enterprises have struggled to properly navigate the ongoing crisis. Since these stores serve many households in the area, they too are obligated to make their store operations safe for their own families, customers, and employees.”

Towards this end, the partners have come together to “help our micro-retailers face their greater challenge,” Jose Ma. Concepcion, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder, said.

The partners developed comprehensive online learning modules that focus on retail business continuity and safe business operations.

Consisting of videos, comics, infographics, games, and knowledge assessment, these will be delivered to micro-retailers through the eTESDAiSTAR program for e-learning and offline as well.

With knowledge gained from these modules, micro-retailers, particularly women entrepreneurs, are expected to be more business-savvy and armed with competencies that they can use to keep their store operations going and growing in the new normal.

Expounding on the significance of the leaning modules, Undersecretary  Blesilda Lantayona of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said, “Given this current predicament we are facing, it is a must to guide the micro-retailers as they navigate and hurdle the barriers posed by this crisis. Understanding how the COVID-19 virus spreads is critical in order to break the chains of transmission. Constant and reliable information is therefore crucial.”

Patrick Wesner, Deputy Mission Director of the USAID, highlighted how micro-retailers form a substantial part of the economy.

“Sari-sari stores for example contribute 13 percent or P1.5 trillion to the GDP,” he said. “They play an important role in bringing goods to local people and the community.”

It is therefore imperative, he said, that store operators are provided clear guidance on how to open up their establishments while continuing to protect themselves and their customers from the virus.

 Wesner lauded Coca-Cola, TESDA, and DTI for their commitment to advance democracy, stability, prosperity, and resilience in the Philippines. “Through our collaboration, we can all overcome the challenges posed by this unprecedented pandemic,” he said.

In a survey conducted by the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO) early this year, it was revealed that 42 percent of sari-sari stores and 75 percent of carinderias were forced to close during the lockdown while others had to drastically downsize their operations by up to 90 percent. The rapid survey also showed that there was an overwhelming feeling of “helplessness” due to lack of available information on how and when to safely and steadily reopen their business.

About Coca-Cola in the Philippines

Coca-Cola has been refreshing Filipinos and making a difference in the Philippines for 108 years. The Philippines was Coca-Cola’s first market in Asia to begin local bottling operations. Today, the Coca-Cola system in the Philippines has evolved into a total beverage company, offering 19 brands in its beverage portfolio and employing over 10,000 Filipinos in over 19 manufacturing facilities and more than 70 distribution centers nationwide. As part of its long-standing commitment to the country, Coca-Cola continues to #GOBEYONDGOOD as a business by continuously supporting water replenishment programs in over 180 communities, empowering over 200,000 women entrepreneurs through training and peer mentoring, and accelerating packaging collection and recycling under its global World Without Waste initiative.