Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 31) — San Miguel Corporation has organized a community reseller program as part of its livelihood support for former settlers of its ₱740-billion airport project site in Bulakan, Bulacan.
SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said that through the initiative, former residents of Brgy. Taliptip can start their own cooperative business reselling Magnolia Chicken and Purefoods-branded frozen products, with assistance from the conglomerate.
“We will make sure our people will be there to watch over them, monitor their progress, and help them make their business succeed,” Ang said. “As with our TESDA training programs, this is open to all former residents. They just have to organize themselves, and we will extend the same support.”
The first community store under the program was opened last January 24. SMC said it provided the initial inventory of products for free, as well as freezers needed for the shop.
“I’m happy too that the initial feedback for the pilot store has been very positive and encouraging for the former Sitio Kinse residents. We will immediately replicate these stores for other groups of relocatees so more people can benefit from this program,” Ang said.
Last year, residents of the soon-to-rise New Manila International Airport were relocated to nearby homes provided by SMC. Besides the newly launched reselling program, the company has also coordinated with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority in providing them skills and livelihood training. Ang said this is part of keeping SMC’s promise to prioritize the locals for economic opportunities arising from the airport project.
The company added that it will also provide supplemental community-based business skills training, which will allow former residents to enhance their income from the fishing trade. Meanwhile, SMC said other locals took up dressmaking and cookery courses and were given toolkits to start small businesses.
The new airport, which is planned to span some 2,500 hectares, is eyed to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport once operational in a few years. SMC bagged a 50-year franchise to build and operate the NMIA after President Rodrigo Duterte skipped signing the measure into law on time.
