For almost two decades now, 60-year-old Mary Magaling of Mandaluyong has relied on her sari-sari store to provide for her family. But just like other small business owners, she found herself on the brink of bankruptcy when the pandemic struck.
“Konting-konti nalang po, talagang magsasara na dapat ako,” Magaling said. “Sobrang hirap po ng sitwasyon ngayon dahil walang panggastos ang mga tao.”
Magaling said she often finds herself longing for the days when things were normal–most people were employed, and businesses were flourishing. Back then, her store was able to support the schooling of her three nieces who were living with her. And, for many years, she has been the constant go-to person of her suki when budget runs short, and they could only afford tingi-tingi (small quantities of goods).
“Ngayon po, kailangan ko nang humingi ng tulong sa aking mga kamag-anak sa probinsya,” she said. “Ayoko rin namang mag-sara dahil marami na akong suki na may trust sa akin, at sa akin din palaging pumupunta kapag may kailangan sila.”
Thankfully, apart from selling basic sari-sari store goods, she found another income stream from selling mobile prepaid load. “Malaking tulong po ang Globe dahil kahit papano, nakakabenta po ako ng load sa mga nag-o-online classes kapag may pasok,” she said.
“Marami rin nagpapa-load sa akin para may pantawag sa mga pamilya nila na nasa ibang lugar,” she said. “Mabuti nalang mas marami nang nakakapag-Internet ngayong pandemic. Hindi gaano nahihirapan ‘yong mga nawalay sa pamilya.”
#BrigadangAyalaKaakay
On Feb. 21, Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu and his team visited #BrigadangAyalaKaakay beneficiaries at San Roque Parish in Mandaluyong. Kaakay is a 12-week food distribution program that provides rice, fresh vegetables, canned goods and bread to 10,000 families across Metro Manila.
“Being on-ground with our customers and listening to their stories give us more insights on the everyday challenges they are facing especially during these times. The Kaakay program brings initial relief and assistance, progressing into a livelihood program which we hope will provide long lasting assistance to uplift their lives,” Cu said.
“We’re very happy to be given this opportunity to assist more communities. Apart from the food supplies of Kaakay, Globe’s products and services have been a big help to the community, from children who are learning from home to senior citizens who find strength in constantly connecting with their families online,” he said.
Globe executive vice president for channel management Bernard Llamzon said he is proud of the resilience Globe partners like sari-sari store owner Mary Magaling has displayed throughout the two years our country has been adjusting to the global pandemic.
Llamzon said: “The story of Nanay Mary shows how Globe gives opportunities to sari-sari store owners to expand their offerings and earn extra during the pandemic, when the demand for prepaid load has grown.”
“Across the country, Globe and our sari-sari store partners make sure that Globe products and services are within everyone’s reach,” he said.
From being a load retailer, Magaling plans to expand her Globe business and become an ECPay partner mechant. “Magandang opportunity iyong ECPay lalo na marami ang naghahanap ng paraan para makapag-bayad ng bills at magpadala ng pera sa mga kamag-anak nila sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa,” she said.
Electronic Commerce Payments Inc. is the leading electronic payment service provider in the Philippines. It offers a unique all-in-one platform with a wide array of services, ranging from bill payment, top-up load, electronic pins, cash-ins, and money transfers.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Globe, lalo na iyong mga representatives nila na bumibista sa aking tindahan. Palagi silang nandiyan tuwing kailangan ko ng tulong sa loading business ko. Mababait sila, madaling kausap, at maaasahan. Ramdam ko na may malasakit sila sa akin,” Magaling said.
