MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Christmas comes early and a million times merrier for five Smart retailers. For Samuel, Jane, Ray, Sara, and Johnny, their loyal partnership with Smart has brought them unprecedented blessings while helping customers stay connected in the pandemic. PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has rewarded these five load retailers with Php1 million each, through the Smart Ka-Partner program.
“Amid COVID-19, our Ka-Partners bravely ensured that we remain connected. They inspire us to continuously serve and give Filipinos an amazing experience,” said Alex O. Caeg, PLDT and Smart SVP and Head of Consumer Sales.
Ka-Partner Rewards is Smart’s way to recognize over 1.2 million retailers–usually owners of neighborhood sari-sari stores, minimarts, and roving outlets. This year, Smart also launched Ka-Partner Negosyo phone, an LTE-capable handset preloaded with the enhanced Ka-Partner app that simplifies bookkeeping. Smart’s partnership with PayMaya has also expanded service offerings.
Samuel’s loyalty finally paid off. A Smart retailer for 20 years, the 65-year-old entrepreneur from Negros Occidental was among the first users of the Negosyo Phone. The daily extra income of as much as Php 2,000 from e-loading enables Samuel to support his nephews and nieces.
Jane’s sari-sari store has become her family’s lifeline after her husband’s health issues prevented him from returning overseas. For over 8 years, Jane boosts earns an extra Php15,000 monthly through load retail.
Former BPO employee Ray took a chance when he resigned to run their sari-sari store. Thanks to his Smart microenterprise, Ray racks up an extra Php15,000 in monthly sales.
Housewife Sara also manages a sari-sari store in Batangas, her family’s livelihood. Sara is grateful for the extra monthly income of Php10,000 from Smart retailing.
Young father Johnny left his job at a motorcycle dealership to become the go-to retailer for their Nueva Ecija community. His efforts in the last five years have been rewarded, as he bagged a million pesos for being a Ka-Partner.
“In keeping with our core value of ‘malasakit’, Smart has boosted Ka-Partner offerings to encourage our partner-retailers na maglevel up na sa bagong paraan ng pagnenegosyo,” added Caeg.
Since 2012, the Smart Ka-Partner Rewards program has produced 34 millionaires from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. PLDT and Smart leverage on digital technologies to improve the lives and livelihood of the communities they serve by ushering them into the digital economy, making sure that sa Smart, simple umasenso. This underscores the companies’ commitment to meet the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 1 – No Poverty, and SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.
