The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused the shutdown of many businesses but it also led them to explore new markets to offer their products.
At the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Project Buyanihan was launched in partnership with the Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation (FBDFI).
Buyanihan offers free retail spaces for selected social enterprises along Bonifacio High Street.
Eight social enterprises participated and will be back as soon as the quarantine protocols permit.
1. Fresh market goods from Benguet Collective Producers: Benguet Collective Producers allows the community to shop all sorts of market goods fresh from Benguet. Benguet Farmers Collective is composed of upland farmers from Sablan whose livelihoods were affected during the pandemic. With the community’s support every weekend, the partner farmers shared how the project enabled them to send their kids to school and provide for their families.
2. Curated and handwoven finds from Mask For A Cause PH: Mask For A Cause PH supports women weavers all around the country by providing additional income opportunities. They curate and promote Filipino handwoven masks and other cultural products from various ethnic communities in the Philippines like Iloilo and Zamboanga. Each item, design, markings and symbols from their masks and other collections are unique and one of a kind. In just one weekend in BGC, they were able to surpass their regular month’s sales and further strengthen the support for local weavers.
3. Cultural and unique items from Abra Indigo Manila: With a vision of addressing the cultural disconnect, Abra Indigo Manila is an all-Filipino social enterprise showcasing local and indigenous cultures through various products like face masks, accessories, apparel and home essentials.
4. Made for Pinoys skincare from Diwatang Maria: Diwatang Maria is a skincare brand that aims to address the need of Pinoys when it comes to skincare. They produce only organic and natural products using plant derivatives to help local communities. Each variant serves as a declaration of Filipino ingenuity as they promote the brave, compassionate, and fearless stories of Diwatas Filipinos grew up to.
5. Farm fresh produce with SANFA: Farmers from San Antonio, Quezon offer lowland crops and produce. San Antonio Natural Farmers (SANFA) work towards making agriculture a profitable and sustainable endeavor for the community.
6. Products made by former inmates: Many people lost their jobs during the pandemic and finding a source of income is even more difficult for former inmates. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) Livelihood Program aims to provide livelihood projects to past offenders by training them with skills, which do not only help provide them with sustainable earnings for their families, but can also aid them in making their reintegration to society a bit easier. This includes crafting mandala pots made of clay, stylish bayong bags, lampshades, and even acrylic paintings.
7. Taho from Bacoor Collective Producers: With stricter community quarantine protocols, taho producers and vendors are not allowed to roam around the village streets. Bacoor Collective Producers, through Project Buyanihan, has found a new market where they can also sell other soy products.
8. Organic Plantito / Plantita needs by Homegrown Harvest: Homegrown Harvest makes it easy for everyone to grow their own food at home while helping a local community. They offer pre-planted containers, raised beds, and even monthly maintenance check-ins and other services.
Project Buyanihan will resume in BGC this weekend.