The capital of the Philippines and surrounding cities and municipalities, as well as some provinces have been under lock down for more than a month now. There has been a disruption in the supply of food to the cities due to different interpretations and implementation of the national directives by local governments - restrictions in activities, checkpoints for trucks and cargoes, etc.
Food and essential products and activities are supposedly exempted from the restrictions, but this did not happen as intended by the government. In response, the government reiterated such exemptions and tried to facilitate the flow of food supply through food pass, do not delay signs, special permits, etc. There are also different initiatives from all sectors to make food supply available - buying produce directly from farmers for food relief and mobile markets, online ordering and delivery of food products, etc.
Cooperatives are playing an important role for their members and the larger community - providing food relief, continuing agricultural activities, food retail, etc. One client, for example, has 26 retail stores some of which are now doubling their sales due to the increased demand for food and other essential items, also with the encouragement of the local governments where their stores are located. They continue to operate their agricultural businesses, and have even started an online ordering and delivery system for their coop marts. Another client, a federation, is also part of an effort by CSOs and private sector to buy directly from agri coops and distribute fresh produce to poor communities through cooperatives in the urban areas. Its coop members all around the country are doing the same - continuing their agricultural activities, providing food relief to the communities, etc.
Agriterra Philippines has reached out to our clients to know about their situation, their responses, opportunities arising and support needed. We initiated a response to the food supply problem by linking our clients with an initiative for a unified food supply chain for bringing their produce to the National Capital Region (NCR), in partnership with coops, government agencies and fintech and logistics companies for online ordering and first mile and last mile deliveries.
We have also started an Agri Trading post through a chat group between our client vegetable marketing coop and other clients so they can buy fresh vegetables from the north and bring them to the NCR and further south. Already, one client has placed an order for 1.6 tons of highland vegetables to sell in their coop marts. Another plans to buy for its coop members in the NCR.
Now, we want to expand and scale up these initiatives through a Coop to Coop Trading activity that will be supported by USAID under the GROW Coop project. A brief description of this you can find here.
Jun Virola, business advisor Philippines
