Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc., the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country, is nearing its target to inoculate of at least 90 percent of its employees.
The company has already administered vaccine doses to 75 percent of regular employees under the vaccination drive, dubbed “Great to be Safe,” which is being rolled out in its offices and plants in partnership with various local government units. The company is prioritizing the inoculation of employees in municipalities with higher cases of COVID-19.
“We are working hard to inoculate as many employees the soonest time possible to maintain a safe and healthy working environment for our people. Protecting their health remains our top priority. The sooner we get our workforce vaccinated, the sooner we can get back and stir economic recovery,” said PCPPI president and chief executive Frederick Ong.
The vaccines administered came from partner LGUs, including Muntinlupa City, Cauayan City, Naga City, Bacolod City, Rosario City, Davao City and Sto. Tomas, Batangas. PCPPI employees, being part of the essential workforce, are classified under the A4 category or economic frontliners.
“Our LGU partners enabled us to achieve faster vaccine rollout. We are especially grateful to these LGUs for their swift and efficient processes,” said Ong.
The company started using the initial delivery of AztraZeneca vaccines from the “A Dose of Hope” vaccination program, an initiative led by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion. These vaccines were also administered through the support of LGUs. The company still awaits the balance and full delivery of their order for 20,000 vaccines.
The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 9 issued safety seal certification to PCPPI’s Zamboanga plant on Sept. 27.
It is PCPPI’s ninth plant to receive the approval seal, completing the certification of all PCPPI plants in the Visayas and Mindanao. The other plants to secure the safety seal are Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Sto. Tomas, Tanauan, Pampanga and Bacolod plants.
PCPPI was recognized for its strict compliance with COVID-19 health and safety standards. These include wearing of face masks and shields, availability of handwashing stations and screening or triage area, social distancing and using contract-tracing application, among others.
Ong said the issuance of safety seal certification signifies the company’s unrelenting commitment to the health and safety of employees and business partners. While the company safeguards its plants, it is also firm in meeting its inoculation target to reach herd immunity within the workplace.
“Prioritizing of the health and safety of our people is a step closer to meeting our vision of becoming the leading beverage company in the country. Knowing that our employees are protected and working in a secure environment enables us to operate at the optimum level to keep the business running and stir economic recovery,” Ong said.
The certification is issued to establishments in the manufacturing, construction, utilities, information and communication, and warehousing industries. To ensure continuous compliance with safety protocols, the certification must be renewed after its six-month validity.
The Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Governance, Philippine National Police, and the different local government units join DOLE as designated authorities to issue the safety seal.
PCPPI manufactures and sells well-known brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton and Premier.