The month-long celebration of women
aptly ended with the gathering of the Philippines’ women agenda movement
leaders – the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine
Commission on Women, and the world’s biggest and most women-supportive beverage
brand, Coca-Cola Philippines.
The Company recognizes the important
role of women and their capabilities and potential as engines for development.
Based on numerous studies, when women are given the opportunity to earn, they
reinvest their income to the welfare of their families. The 5by20 STAR Program
aims to empower women and promote their economic capabilities, and seize
economic opportunities. We envision that economically empowered women would
form part in the solution in breaking the cycle of poverty within families. We
believe that women, given the right support and confidence, can make a positive
impact, and make all the difference that the world needs.
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Coca-Cola Philippines sustainability manager Joy Munsayac,
DILG undersecretary Marjorie Jalosjos, Coca-Cola Philippines public affairs and
communications manager Sam Sanchez, along with relevant partners in government
celebrate Women’s Month at a film screening last March 28.
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During a special film screening of a
fictional heroine, the beverage brand featured a short clip on the impact of
their program, particularly the 5by20 Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to
Resources (STAR) Program. The video underscored how the women, mostly mothers,
became the heroes to their families by making ends meet with additional sources
of income while being able to manage the household. Women reach their full
potential when given a space that enables them to grow, women reach their full
potential.
“Coca-Cola several years back
acknowledged the fact that there wasn’t gender equality in the world and in the
workplace, and though of what can we do more to drive that empowerment, and
drive that mission. Not only did we talk about it, we actually put a goal in
place called the 5by20 initiative—5 million women empowered by the year 2020,”
said Winn Everhart, president and general manager of Coca-Cola Philippines.
“What I can proudly say that the
Philippines has lead the way. This is the preeminent market where Coca-Cola is
invested in empowering women through our 5by20 program. We’re now turning over
150,000 women entrepreneurs in the Philippines, and we’ll be hitting our goal
of 200,000 by next year. We’re one of the global leaders when it comes to women
empowerment,” he added.
The film screening was joined by top
officials of the Philippine Commission on Women Commissioner Sandra Montaño and
the Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Marjorie
Jalosjos.
“Lagi ko pong sinasabi, hindi madali ang
maging babae. Para kang superhero na kailangan magpalit-palit ng costume—minsan
tindera, security guard, business woman, doktora, engineer, barangay captain,
congresswoman, assistant secretary, kapatid, anak, nanay. We play very critical
roles in society, so we keep our hopes, raise our children, and nurture our
families,” said Jalosjos.
“The real heroes of today are the women
farmers who till the land so we can have food to eat; women fisherfolk, women
civil servants, women lawyers and judges, medical experts, women entrepreneurs,
scientists, our mothers, sisters, at tayong mga maria, tayong mga Juana. The
Philippine Commission on Women commend all efforts from our partners in
celebrating women, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, economic status and
religion. Truly, we can make change work not only for women, but with women.
Let us remember that championing the role of women does not end every March. It
is an everyday goal and aspiration that women will not be left behind,” said
Montaño.
“Women micro-retailers or the sari-sari
store and carinderia owners that we see in every street, every corner, are our
everyday superheroes. They are literally the hands that extend our brand to
communities. However, over and above their role as a store manager, they also
juggle the role of being moms, wives, sisters, caregivers, and home managers.
As we reach the summit of our Women’s Month celebrations, may we see every day
and appreciate the role of extraordinary women in our lives,” said Coca-Cola
Philippines sustainability manager Joy Munsayac.
The beverage giant also announced its
support for the planned all-women led run for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay
during Earth Day in April. Spearheaded by DILG and PCW, the run will create a
venue for women to be able to express their support for the rehabilitation and
cleanup of the iconic waterfront.
The 5by20 STAR Program has evolved to
cater to several sectors including women in agriculture, women in the Women
Economic Empowerment Program of the Philippine Commission on Women, distressed
overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through partnerships with the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration of the Department of Labor and Employment and the
National Reintegration Commission of OFWs, beneficiaries of the government
conditional cash transfer program or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development –
National Capital Region, Artisan Women of Tondo, and for women who are in
disaster stricken areas. The program also includes women micro-entrepreneurs
who will undergo mentoring, or the Kapatid Program of the Department of Trade
and industry and the civic group GoNegosyo.
Coca-Cola, with their 19 manufacturing
facilities in the Philippines, and over 10,000-strong labor force, is proactive
in promoting women empowerment through the 5by20 initiative.
The 5by20 STAR Program is part of a
global initiative that aims to economically empower 5 million women by 2020.
The Philippines has a local target of empowering 200,000 women since its launch
in 2011.
The Coca-Cola 5by20 STAR Program is
implemented in partnership with TESDA. The STAR Program is designed for women
micro entrepreneurs who own and manage sari-sari stores or carinderias. The
Program addresses the barriers these women face and help them achieve business
success. The STAR Program has three components: access to training, access to
resources, and access to peer mentoring.
To date, the STAR Program has 390
accredited facilitators teaching and training women retailers to become better
entrepreneurs. The STAR Program is being implemented in over 47 locations
nationwide and has reached more than 140,000 women.
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