April 2020

With the entire country on quarantine because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, mobility in the country is practically at a standstill. According to a report titled “Consumer Behavior During The Pandemic,” lockdowns and quarantines have reduced mobility by 80 percent in the Philippines and Malaysia, and 60 percent in Singapore and Vietnam. Traffic was reduced due to social distancing between people and encourage them to stay at home.

Other than some essential services remaining open such as food delivery and medical needs, the e-Commerce industry is booming since its services help people buy what they need online and have it delivered right to their homes, thereby making delivery couriers important frontliners as well.

Of course, couriers are allowed to operate and continue doing their jobs as long as they maintain safety precautions imposed by quarantine guidelines, like wearing facemasks and gloves, and being equipped with alcohol and other hygiene essentials, which were also a requirement by their own courier companies.

In the Philippines, riders from motorcycle taxi-hailing apps have shifted their services from providing transportation for people to delivering food and other essential goods allowing riders to continue making a living even in the face of the pandemic. But more than just providing a means of livelihood, these riders are providing an important lifeline to many people forced to stay home through the delivery of food and medicines, not to mention aiding in the government’s efforts in keeping human interaction as minimal as possible.

Honda Philippines, Inc. the No. 1 motorcycle manufacturer in the Philippines joins the country as it works to meet the challenges posed by the global health crisis through the work of delivery riders in ensuring the transportation of essential goods and services.

“I am proud to see that our motorcycles have become indispensable and are being used with a great purpose. A purpose of keeping people safe at home and encouraging social distancing, during this crisis.  We also commend the effort of our Hero Riders as they offer courage and aid during this crisis.” said Susumu Mitsuishi, President of Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI).

The array of cutting-edge motorcycles busy on the streets, such as the Honda BeAT and Honda CLICK, signifies that Honda’s AT bikes are becoming predominant.  This shows that the company has been true to its “ONE DREAM” campaign, which is helping fulfill people’s dream while experiencing the joy of mobility and in today’s reality, provide a safer way for people staying home to still access badly needed necessities.

For more details about Honda products and promos, visit us at our website www.hondaph.com  and follow our Facebook page, Honda Philippines, Inc. and Instagram, @hondaph_mc.

Holcim employees have distributed food and hygiene products to assist communities and government workers in Bulacan, Lugait and Iloilo fighting Covid-19

The company, Holcim Philippines, cement manufacturer contribute to the nation’s in fighting against Covid-19 by providing medical supplies to hospitals assigned to treat coronavirus patients and relief items to its affected communities. Also allocated a substantial share of the budget for corporate citizenship program Holcim Helps to procure much-needed medical personal protective equipment such as surgical masks, respirators and face shields to be donated to the Lung Center of the Philippines (Quezon City) and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (Caloocan City). These hospitals are among those assigned by the Department of Health to treat Covid-19 patients.

Holcim Philippines has also started to distribute food and hygiene products to communities hosting its facilities in Bacnotan, La Union, Norzagay and Calumpit, Bulacan, Tondo, Manila, Calaca and Mabini, Batangas, Iloilo City, Lugait, Misamis Oriental and Davao City.Approximately 1,500 families and government front line workers have benefitted from the first batch of distribution completed as of April 14.

Holcim President and CEO John Stull: “Holcim Philippines is one with the country in fighting Covid-19. We are very proud of our people who are actively contributing to their communities and the country in pushing back against this disease. Guided by our overarching value of Health and Safety, our company has taken actions to support the efforts to contain the spread of the disease and ensure the well-being of our people, partners and our communities. Holcim Philippines will continue to support the country’s efforts against Covid-19 and follow the guidance of health authorities on this matter. Our thoughts go to everyone affected by this. We wish everyone safety and good health in these trying times.”

Despite most its plants and terminals closed due to enhanced community quarantine, the goods were successfully distributed thanks to the company’s skeleton workforce led by its CSR teams supported by its partner suppliers and vendors. Holcim Philippines followed strict health and safety guidelines such as:

• careful packing of goods to ensure people are safe during the distribution
• close monitoring of the Covid-19 situation
• enabled it to quickly tighten regulations on social distancing
• personal hygiene
• health screening in all its sites in line with guidelines set by Philippine health authorities
• installation of new hand washing stations
• strict enforcement of social distancing at all its sites
• to limit human-to-human contact, it shifted to electronic means in dealing with business partners
• encouraged use of digital platforms to provide customers a convenient way to continue transactions amid the quarantine
• the company has implemented a Covid-19 information campaign focused on mental health to help its people and their families keep safe during the quarantine

Holcim Philippines is a member of the LafargeHolcim Group, the world leader in the building materials industry present in 80 countries with over 80,000 employees. *LafargeHolcim has signed an agreement with San Miguel Corporation for the divestment of its entire 85.7 percent shareholding in Holcim Philippines Inc. The process is still ongoing. You may get more information on this development at this link: https://www.lafargeholcim.com/lafargeholcim-divests-activities-philippines

In line with the 50th celebration of Earth Day on April 22, SM Cares has partnered with Earth Day Network Philippines for a social media campaign that aims to promote eco-friendly and sustainable practices among Filipinos.

SM Cares’ #LoveEarth campaign is a social media initiative centered around the message of “Healing the Earth” that calls for positive change in behavior and mindset in caring for the environment. The campaign encourages individuals to be more appreciative, mindful, and moderate in their consumption of Earth’s resources such as food, water, and energy, even while staying at home for the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Through this campaign, we want to encourage everyone to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle and work together toward caring for the only planet that we all call home, even in our own little way,” said Liza B. Silerio, VP of Corporate Compliance of SM Supermalls.

#LoveEarth campaign supports Earth Day Network’s recently launched digital campaign Earthrise, a youth-led digital movement whose goal is to mobilize organizations, communities, and individuals all over the world on Earth Day to demand immediate action on climate change from the world’s leaders and policy makers.

Earth Day is an annual celebration led by the Earth Day Network that puts the spotlight on issues that are affecting the environment. First held in 1970, Earth Day was the result of a need for a unified response against various environmental problems like pollution and resource depletion. Today, the event is considered the biggest environmental movement in the world, with millions joining celebrations every year.

For this year’s celebration, Earth Day’s theme centers on climate action. “The enormous challenge – but also the vast opportunities – of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic of the 50th anniversary,” Earth Day Network says in its website. “Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.”

The #LoveEarth campaign is just one of the numerous ways that SM is promoting sustainable living among Filipinos, and the company has other programs aimed at helping care for the environment. These are the Regular Trash to Cash Recycling Market that is held every first Friday and Saturday of the month; daily water recycling systems, and environmental campaigns such as the Green Film Festival and Green Retail Agenda, just to name a few.

To learn more about the #LoveEarth campaign and other environment initiatives by SM, visit the SM Supermalls official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls/.

J & T Express – How to safely receive your package during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Deliver services is very important to millions of Filipinos, especially those in areas under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), are changing their buying behaviors. With the country’s response to stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), retail stores, malls, and even restaurants have been closed until further notice.

Since we are under the ECQ the government encourages people to do physical distancing and stay in their homes unless they need to go out to buy food, groceries, and other essential items in grocery stores, markets, and pharmacies, among other establishments that are still allowed to be operational. So one of the solution is to buy online much easier and more practical way to stay away from the crowd and contribute to stopping the spread of the virus. With this it will help the growth in the e-Commerce industry.

According to a report by Google, Bain & Company, and Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, Southeast Asia’s e-Commerce industry is the biggest factor for the region’s growth as it has grown from a GMV value of US$5.5 billion dollars in 2015 to US$38 billion in 2019. Now, the sector is on track to exceed US$150 billion by 2025.

Since online shopping is helping both the people and the economy, J&T Express, the number one e-Commerce delivery company in Southeast Asia, believes that delivery couriers are the “Unsung Heroes on Two Wheels” during this pandemic because it would not be possible for food, groceries, and other essentials to be delivered to people without them.

Delivery couriers will always ensure that they keep their client’s trust and safety when it comes to their services. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) obliged delivery couriers to strictly follow ECQ guidelines such as:

1. social distancing
2. ensure that they are equipped with facemasks, gloves, alcohol and other protective
3. precautionary equipment

According to a new study by MedRxiv, COVID-19 lives for 24 hours on cardboard and 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, thus giving you the option of letting the virus die out first before taking out your package, however that would only be good news for non-perishable goods.

Whether you choose to wait for the virus to die or not, you should always wash any surfaces that the outer packaging touched then throw away the packaging and wash your hands. Sanitize your package immediately, or if it’s perishable goods, immediately put it in a Tupperware and put it in the refrigerator.

Of course, delivery couriers are still vulnerable to the virus, despite the safety precautions, so you must keep minimal contact with the courier, as much as possible. Always practice social distancing, even in situations such as receiving a package; think of it as maintaining the safety of the courier, as well.

Some delivery couriers offer the option of having contactless delivery, where you don’t have to see the courier face-to-face and they leave your package at the doorstep or somewhere you choose, then the payment would be settled online. If not you can simply request the courier to have such an option and come to an agreement.

J&T Express reopens branches nationwide

J&T Express, the number one e-Commerce delivery company in Southeast Asia, offers their services with fast deliveries and affordable rates! They also ensure the safety of your products with real-time tracking for you and your customers, as well as provide insurances and other safety precautions for it!

J&T Express is dedicated to helping local online businesses grow by providing quality delivery services. Today, they have over 400 branches across the Philippines.

To know more about J&T Express and its services, visit their official FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/jntexpressphilippines.