MANILA, PHILIPPINES – For 108 years, the purpose of refreshing the world and making a difference has always been the driving force of Coca-Cola when it operates in times of crisis. The Company continues to tap on its network of partners to provide not only financial resources but also logistical support to be of genuine service to health workers and local communities.
Following the announcement of the Company last March 20 to re-channel Php 150 million of its advertising budget toward COVID-19 relief efforts, the Coca-Cola system immediately mobilized the provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for frontline responders, the distribution of food packs to vulnerable communities, and the delivery of beverages to hospitals, national government agencies local government units and NGOs.
Providing PPEs for frontline responders and sustenance for vulnerable communities
One of the top priorities of Coca-Cola is to respond to the urgent demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) to help equip critical healthcare workers with gear ensuring their safety and welfare, as they lead the nation’s fight against COVID-19. More than 46,000 medical workers in 305 medical institutions have so far been provided with personal protective equipment (PPEs), a significant portion of which was coursed through the TOWNS Foundation, UP Medical Foundation and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF).
“These initiatives form only the initial phase of our ongoing efforts to make a positive impact in communities and among the most vulnerable,” says Winn Everhart, Coca-Cola Philippines President and General Manager. “Alongside our valued partners, we are committed to the spirit of bayanihan, believing that as long as we weather this crisis while lifting up our fellow countrymen, we can look forward to a better-shared future.”
Coca-Cola also saw the need to help feed the most vulnerable families in the country once the enhanced community quarantine was imposed. Working together with Caritas Manila, McDonald’s, Rise Against Hunger-PH, Philippines Business for Social Progress & Jollibee Foundation, Coca-Cola has delivered over 5,000 food packs and is committed to reaching 30,000 more families in the coming days.
Enabling continuous supply of essential hydration needs
In addition, with over 19 production facilities, over 70 distribution centres and 10,000 direct employees in the country, Coca-Cola continues to manufacture and deliver essential hydration needs to stores, its customers and partners to ensure that beverages such as Wilkins water and other Coca-Cola products remain available to communities during this time.
Further to ensuring continuous product delivery to stores and its customers, Coca-Cola, since March 20, has distributed over 400,000 litres of beverages to various frontline organizations—including 125 public and private medical institutions, the AFP, the PNP, several government agencies, local government units across the country, and different civic organizations—as well as vulnerable communities.
“We have all been witnessing the generosity of spirit, the hard work, and the unparalleled dedication of the thousands upon thousands of frontline workers in the medical sector and across various industries, and it is incumbent upon everyone of us to support them in any way we can,” says Gareth McGeown, President and CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc., the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the country.
The Company will also be providing beverages to the COVID-19 quarantine facilities the government will be establishing, in partnership with the PDRF. The first batch of these deliveries has already been made to the PICC and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Coca-Cola coolers will be installed in the command centre of these facilities.
“This is perhaps the toughest collective challenge we will all face in our lifetimes, and extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary responses. Coca-Cola is in a position to help—therefore, we will do so to the utmost of our abilities. We will continue to prioritize the safety of our employees; as we serve our customers, support the government’s welfare initiatives, and help bring aid to vulnerable communities across the country,” added McGeown.
