Ambag ni Juan is a sustainable and eco-friendly project that the URC flour division tried to achieve when Pasig hired tailors to turn used flour bags into eco-friendly bags.
The flour division of Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has launched Ambag ni Juan, a livelihood project to support seamstresses from Barangay Bagong Ilog, Pasig City.
Gemma Tacata, HR and EHS Manager at URC Flour and one of the main proponents of the project, shared that they had conceptualised the project way back in 2019, even before the pandemic hit. They envision converting used flour bags into eco bags as a way to practice sustainability within their department.
At the time, URC Flour was also busy with several projects aimed at helping the residents of Barangay Bagong Ilog. Some of these projects include cleaning up the banks of the Pasig River and bakery and pastry making workshops, which are popular with women who want to start their own business.
It was during the implementation of these projects, Tacata recalls, that they were introduced to skilled tailors within the community. When Takata’s team offered tailors the project to produce the first batch of flour sack reusable bags,”provided by John,” the ladies readily accepted.
provided by John
“In line with our company’s people-centred values, we want to support local communities through livelihood and sustainability projects. Building relationships with our communities has always been our top priority,” Tacata shared.
Eventually, a batch of reusable bags turned into three, which became an additional source of income for the tailors of Hachiko Ilo during the epidemic. To incorporate sustainability into its operations, URC Flour and its partners now use eco-bags internally.
Tacata also said her team even met with URC’s management committee to promote the use of reusable bags in other URC departments. She said she hopes that through this, Bagong Ilog’s tailors can get more orders for eco-bags from different URC organisations.
In the future, Takata hopes to expand the coverage of Ambag Nijuan. Currently, their team is focusing on local communities in Davao City and Quezon Province.
Ambag Ni Juan is just one of many CSR projects that URC Flour and Division launch each year to support local communities.
