Coca-Cola works with local communities to put up handwash stations across the PH

Last March 24, 2021, Coca-Cola Iloilo Plant and Sales leadership teams led by Plant Manager Rowena Bulandus (front row, second from left) and Regional Sales Manager Jojo Castillo (back row, second from left) turned over the 3-sink handwash station installed in the Pavia Municipal Public Market to LGU representatives Mayor Laurence “Luigi” Anthony Gorriceta (front row, second from right) and Vice Mayor Edsel Gerochi (front row, leftmost).

Last March 31, 2021, Coca-Cola Davao del Sur manufacturing and Southeast Mindanao commercial teams turned over two 3-sink handwash stations installed at the Sta. Cruz Public Market to Mayor Jaime G. Lao.

The People First commitment of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI)—the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the country—places significant emphasis and value on prioritizing the total well-being of its 10,000 associates across the Philippines, as well as on instituting responsive programs that help local communities and immediately address their needs.

In line with this commitment, CCBPI allocated the proceeds raised from the 2019 Coca-Cola Charity Golf Classic partner pledges toward community projects related to COVID-19 mitigation, such as WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) stations. The Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines (CCFPI) matched the amount to extend assistance to more communities.

In total, the company aims to put up almost 40 handwash stations across the country. CCBPI has partnered with Unilever Philippines, which will provide a one-year supply of Lifebuoy soap to all handwash stations. This is part of their continuing efforts under Malasakit For All, their overall program to support communities, partners, and employees during the pandemic.

Last April 14, 2021, the Coca-Cola Legazpi commercial team led by Region Sales Manager Ivan Mabayag turned over a 3-sink handwash station installed at the Daraga Public Market to Mayor Victor Perete. Mayor Perete and Mr. Themis Lobote from the Daraga LGU, immediately began using the handwash station. Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines will continue putting up handwash areas nationwide as part of their ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the importance of proper handwashing, which contributes significantly to preventing various health risks. In the country, about 3.3 million households or 14.7 million Filipinos may not be able to comply with proper hand hygiene guidelines due to the absence of handwashing areas or the lack of soap and usable water. Given these factors, the two-pronged approach of educating people on the importance of proper handwashing and the installment of necessary facilities is crucial to keeping communities safer.

Last March 24, 2021, Coca-Cola’s Iloilo Plant and Sales leadership teams—led by Plant Manager Rowena Bulandus and Regional Sales Manager Jojo Castillo—ceremonially turned over the 3-sink handwash station earlier installed in the Pavia Municipal Public Market to local government representatives Mayor Laurence “Luigi” Anthony Gorriceta and Vice Mayor Edsel Gerochi. A week later, on March 31, 2021, Coca-Cola’s Davao del Sur Plant team turned over two 3-sink handwash stations installed at the Sta. Cruz Public Market to Mayor Jaime G. Lao.

In other parts of the country, two additional handwash stations have since been turned over to the local governments of Calasiao, Pangasinan and Legazpi—thus successfully launching CCBPI’s long-term campaign to enhance local communities’ access to hygiene facilities.

With the launch and continued roll-out of the WASH stations across the Philippines, CCBPI is continuously strengthening its proactive outreach and assistance—to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

Market-goers begin using the newly-installed handwash station at the Sta. Cruz Public Market – this is in line with Coca-Cola’s commitment to continue mitigating the spread of COVID-19 through the construction of around 40 handwash areas nationwide.

At the Pavia Municipal Public Market, members of the public start using the handwash station recently turned over to the LGU. Coca-Cola will continue putting up handwash areas all over the country as part of its efforts to combat COVID-19.