Eric Teng helped form RestoPH, a synergy among like-minded individuals from the restaurant industry with a goal to look for means to help producers and farmers during the time of the pandemic. Their first major program, Farmers’ Produce, is a collaboration with SM and the Department of Agriculture.
Eric describes the farmers’ loss of livelihood and source of income as a catastrophic problem. As part of the restaurant owners’ association of the Philippines, they feel they have to do something to help farmers and fisherfolks. Through SM Farmers’ Produce, farmers are brought closer not just to customers but also to restaurant owners and other industry buyers.
“If we cannot do well, we can still do good. We can still try to help sustain livelihoods. We cannot jumpstart our economy back to the normal state without helping each other out.” This may be considered a small thing, but an important step to build bridges between the government and private sector in a holistic manner. “Here, we’re all friends.”
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