Nestlé Philippines, Inc. has completed the delivery of its “Kasambuhay Kits” for distribution to a million families in a hundred cities and municipalities, it said on Friday.
The kits consisting of Nestlé products will be distributed by local government units and non-government organizations, as well as the Department of Agriculture in Regions 10 and 12. They are part of the company’s P500-million Kasambuhay ng Pamilyang Pilipino program, which is its response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The distribution of the Kasambuhay Kits is going on in the National Capital Region and other areas in the country, including locations where Nestlé has a presence. The beneficiaries include 10,000 coffee farmers’ families in Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat under the Nescafé Plan.
Non-profit organization Caritas Manila, which is the lead social service and development ministry of the Catholic Church in the country, is participating in the distribution.
Before launching the program in April, Nestlé Philippines had started providing Nestlé products to various local governments, as well as thousands of healthcare workers and other frontliners.
“We are happy to have Nestlé as an active and responsive corporate citizen of Batangas especially during this difficult time. Nestlé is a true Kasambuhay,” said Hermilando Mandanas, the governor of Batangas where Nestlé has two factories.
Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, said: “We welcome this opportunity to join hands with Nestlé in reaching out to needy families in severely affected communities during this pandemic.”
Nestlé Philippines Chairman and Chief Executive Kais Marzouki said the bond between the company and Filipino families “involves a heritage of trust which goes back 109 years.”
“Nestlé has become part of their daily lives through many generations. We believe it is only fitting that during this challenging period, we have mounted this initiative to share our products with those who are most affected by COVID-19,” he said.
Mr. Marzouki said Nestlé Philippines is committed to ensure that its products remain available to those who need them, “to assure the safety and welfare of our employees, and assist those of our business partners.”
“With the different sectors of our society working together, we will successfully weather the challenges brought about by this pandemic as we strive to build a better future for all Filipinos,” he said.
