NEWS
foodpanda, NGO Ople Center partner for expansion of BuyAnihan Palengke livelihood program
April 26, 2022 6:17 p.m.
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.
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.
“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.
NEWS
Atayde bats for moratorium on student loan payments during emergencies, calamities
March 17, 2023 9:00 p.m.
STUDENTS won’t have to worry paying their loans during times of calamities and emergencies, as Quezon City first district Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde has introduced a moratorium on the payment of student loans administered by higher educational institutions (HEIs).
The House Bill 7279, which Atayde filed last Feb. 21, headed into its first reading six days later in the Committee on Higher and Technical Education, chaired by Baguio City Rep. Mark O. Go.
He said the bill — once it turns to a law — will halt the payment of all the fees, charges, and costs relating to student loans and technical-vocational training institutions (TVIs) or by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST) during emergencies.
It will cover all students residing in areas declared to be under a state of calamity or emergency — those who are enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), private HEIs, and public and private TVIs.
“We have to find a way to help our students and their families, when natural or even these man-made calamities hit them hard. We just have to make everything easy for them including a moratorium on the payment of student loans,” Atayde said. “It is a burden on a student and their family especially in difficult times like aftermath of typhoon, fire and earthquakes, among other disasters.”
“In the order of spending, student loans will be their least priority since spending will go mostly to basic necessities for survival,” Atayde added.
The moratorium shall be effective for the duration of the state of calamity or emergency and for 30 days after its lifting. No penalties shall be collected on the deferred payments.
“To provide adequate relief and protection to our students in times of calamities and emergencies, this measure shall allow the deferral of student loan collections for a reasonable period during and after the onset of disasters.”
The Quezon City lawmaker cited also the availability of the moratorium, which shall not adversely affect the status of the students concerned with regard to their eligibility for re-enrollment on the succeeding semesters or terms, or their eligibility for graduation.
“The proposed legislation doesn’t prevent public and private HEIs from implementing more favorable forms of payment relief or assistance to students affected by disasters, prohibiting students from voluntarily waiving the moratorium on student loan payments, or availing subsidies and assistance from the government,” Atayde concluded.
NEWS
ShopeePay now available as a payment method for App Store, other Apple services in PH
March 16, 2023 1:59 p.m.
Beginning today, ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, is now available as a payment method for Apple services in the Philippines. Customers can use their ShopeePay account to pay for App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV app, and iTunes Store purchases, iCloud storage and more.
The addition of ShopeePay as an Apple ID payment method offers a new way to pay for Apple services without needing a credit card and still allows for easy, secure one-tap purchasing from Apple products including iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Customers can manage their Apple ID payment information in Settings on iPhone and iPad, or on their Mac or PC.
Agatha Soh, Director at ShopeePay commented, “ShopeePay is committed to meeting the needs of users who are increasingly expecting seamless payments across all platforms. We are excited to offer ShopeePay as a convenient payment option for our customers, and expand access to digital payments, benefitting more users.”
For more information on how to add ShopeePay as a payment method, please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201266 or https://shopee.ph/m/ShopeePay-Apple-ID-PH.
NEWS
Be bolder, braver, more confident at SM Supermalls’ Women’s Month celebration!
March 8, 2023, 8:30 p.m.
Ladies, take center stage as SM celebrates Women Power throughout the month of March. Lots of activities both online and on-ground are in store to empower women and girls all over the country.
Join the Future of Women Global Summit
SM Supermalls will be joining UN Women in kicking off the IWD 2023 celebration through a women’s summit on March 8, at the SM Aura Premier Samsung Hall. Focusing on the future of women in ICT, the two-part event will gather young women, country leaders, policy makers, and advocates together to share perspectives and affirm their commitment to supporting digital equality for women and girls.
Photo courtesy of SM City Lucena
Photo courtesy of SM City San Jose del Monte
Support your local Womenpreneurs
Great finds for ladies are on sale at the SM Womenpreneur Market! This pop-up of small and medium businesses owned by women for women will give you everything you need from food and beauty to wellness and fashion!
Wednesdays are for women!
Shopping on Wednesdays has become even more tempting because the Women’s Wednesday Sale is back! Achieve the glow-up you deserve with special discounts, deals, and promos on fashion, beauty, and fitness exclusively for women every Wednesday of March. So don’t hold back on your shopping; you deserve all these and more!
A beautiful treat of wellness all for you
Forda glow-up and pampering sesh tayo this month because lots of self-care deals are available at the Women’s Wellness Sale. Avail of great deals from wellness salons on facials, hair and body treatments, nail care, and massage from March 1 to March 31.
And more deals online!
Special deals are up for women via the SM Malls Online app. Get the best brand offerings every Wednesday from shoes and beauty and wellness to home and hobbies. Use the code WOMEN and get an extra 10% off, capped at 250. What’s great is that there’s no minimum purchase required!
Also, a collection of brand vouchers will be sent to all women SM Malls Online shoppers valid all month. Wait for your Beauty Pass and give yourself the retail therapy you deserve with tons of discounts, GWP deals, samplers, in-store pick up bonuses, and mystery boxes!
Plus, the SM Malls Online app will be hosting self-care sessions online. Follow SM Supermalls on social media to get a dose of starter packages, Get-Ready-With-Me routines, and beauty products that your favorite beauty experts swear by.
Photo courtesy of SM City East Ortigas
Photo courtesy of SM City Manila
Celebrate Women Power on IG!
Capture the beauty and power of women at the beautiful spots and installations all over SM. Be free to express your own uniqueness and creativity in the specially-designed selfie spaces in partnership with Selfie Studio. Don’t forget to tag us on IG!
We don’t know about you but exciting days await every SM woman. So be bolder, braver, and more confident! With these activities, you can confidently step forward in fashion, beauty, wellness, and express yourselves to make a positive impact.
Stay updated on all things women this IWD 2023 by visiting www.smsupermalls.com and following @smsupermalls on social media.
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