THE STORY began when a lady from the fishing community of Paombong, Bulacan reached out to Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP) or Geely Philippines. She asked if she could trade 120 kilos of tilapia in exchange for Geely鈥檚 old tarpaulin billboards which had already been taken down.
Wheng Clemente shared that the tarpaulins would be used to save the community鈥檚 fishery business. 鈥淥ur location is a catch basin,鈥 she said in Filipino. 鈥淭he tarpaulins would serve to protect the shoreline from erosion 鈥 particularly when it rains. Erosion deals a blow on our businesses.鈥
SGAP welcomed Ms. Clemente鈥檚 proposal and donated the fish to Walang Iwanan Alliance, Kawa Pilipinas, and Heaven鈥檚 Touch Cuisine 鈥 charity groups that organize feeding programs for disadvantaged communities. These groups helped to prepare the fish and cook the meals for around 600 people in Manila and Pasay, just a day before the government has placed NCR Plus under enhanced community quarantine.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win solution for everybody,鈥 declared SGAP Marketing Manager Ryan Isana. 鈥淲e get to recycle, support our local fish farmers, and at the same time give back to the community in these times.鈥
Geely Philippines said that since COVID-19 broke out in 2020, it has been proven that the threat won鈥檛 stop Filipinos from helping countrymen from initiating relief operations. Many companies joined forces last year to give aid to those greatly affected by the lockdown. 鈥淭his Filipino bayanihan spirit has somehow made the dreadful year more bearable,鈥 the company said in a statement.
