With the Enhanced Community Quarantine in place in Luzon to stem the spread of COVID-19, a sense of kindness and charity has brought hope in the face of almost insurmountable trials.
At Universal Robina Corporation (URC), employees have risen to the challenge in different ways -- whether to keep its lines operational, serve its trade customers, deliver its products through numerous checkpoints, oversee a relief donation, or ensure that colleagues stay safe in the midst of the pandemic. For the people of URC, the need to make sure that the company’s products are available, at a time when Filipinos need it most, is of primary importance.
Irwin Lee, URC President and CEO, said, “At this difficult time, our purpose as a company keeps us going --- to provide food and beverage products for the people we serve. At least 7 out of 10 Filipino households have a URC product. Our brands cater to Pinoys every day, 90% of whom are from low-income homes. Our products also help fuel the livelihood of one million sari-sari store owners. This is why we do what we do.”
And from this sense of purpose emerge inspiring stories of heroism and malasakit [care and concern], of going beyond the call of duty at a most difficult time.
Cherry Lyn Moran, head of Key Accounts for Branded Consumer Foods Group (BCFG), shared how two of her team members offered to supervise deliveries in the wee hours of the morning to one of its largest Key Accounts, who had received a last-minute order for relief goods.
URC employees rise to the challenge and continue to deliver and supply products to customers
“Given that our system is already experiencing challenges because of the reduced manning and checkpoint delays, Giorgo Diosay and Sharmaine Te volunteered to personally oversee the delivery… at 2AM in the morning!” Cherry related. “As a result, we got the products on time, we have a satisfied and happy customer, and our kababayans were served by those relief goods.”
Don Ladores heads URC’s General Trade group. He handles regional distributors who, in turn, deal with retailers nationwide. “Our goal during this situation is to ensure the continuous supply of URC products without compromising employee safety,” Don explained.
While he is much concerned about the welfare of his team, Don reminds himself of the mission that URC needs to accomplish. “‘Yung mga ka-team ko in the field, stressed sila kasi mahirap mag-deliver, may mga checkpoint. Nababahala din ako sa kalagayan nila. [My team mates in the field are stressed because doing deliveries is difficult. There are checkpoints. I’m also worried about them.] But it’s important for URC’s operations to continue at times like this, because we provide basic necessities like food and drinks to every Filipino.”
One of the most heroic groups in this unprecedented situation is Supply Chain.
Lawrence Cruz, Manufacturing Director, explained that his team mates know how critical it is for them to continue production. “The mindset of people at the noodles plants is we are the Last Line Standing. Noodles is one of the primary products needed during times of crisis. They are willing to work even with the threat of infection. They know Filipinos are counting on them.”
Poch Agnir, VP for Integrated Supply Chain is proud of the extraordinary efforts of his team. “ISC has risen up to this challenge. Some have volunteered to sleep in make-shift lodging in the plants so they can perform their duties. Without public transportation, some walk for hours just to get to work. We see displays of Bayanihan, as production leaders use their cars to pick up their team members and bring them home.”
He cites some everyday heroes, “With the shut-down of Canlubang, Cabuyao, and Pulo sites, our Transporation Manager Mike Maghari went beyond his regular scope, personally going to the City Hall to secure the necessary permits to keep our sites running. Another example is Nor Capili from Bagumbayan plant, who bought bread with his personal money to give energy to the people on the line.”
For Gerry Magadia, Manufacturing Director of the Flour division, his team is his most critical resource.
“Some have to work additional shifts, we’re admittedly stretched and have to multitask,” Gerry shared. “But their health always comes first. We’re doing everything we can to ensure their safety through screening the entry of people, thermal scanning, and proper sanitation within our premises. Overall, they have remained cheerful and I’m very proud of how everyone is contributing their share.”
URC workforce ensures they practice safety measures as they carry on with their work.
To make sure that production at the plants are ongoing, employees have to multi-task. “Even our janitors are doing clerical work, just to augment the manpower,” said Gerry.
“I call it courage,” said Adi Diaz de Rivera who heads URC’s global Planning & Logistics. Most of Adi’s team come to work every day, not just to perform their regular duties, but to do tasks over and beyond their usual scope.
“In spite of the fact that they know stepping out of their house each morning is a risk, sometimes getting dissuaded by their families, our employees still willingly do it. That’s real courage.”
In the midst of these extraordinary circumstances, Irwin is very much grateful for the extraordinary response of URC employees. “I would like to thank each and every URC employee for the malasakit that you have shown during this difficult time. Your heroism is humbling and inspiring. You have shown what makes URC great. Maraming salamat po [Thank you very much].”
Employees express their appreciation to frontliners by sharing products like Great Taste Coffee, Magic Crackers, Nissin Cup Noodles, Robina Farms meat and egg, and Baker John Bread.
