MRSGI Rolls Out CSR Projects for Vulnerable Communities in Visayas and Luzon

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the safety and well-being of Filipinos is top priority. This is the motivation for Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) to intensify its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs focused on caring for the most vulnerable communities where it operates, alongside its steadfast commitment to continuously serve the needs of customers and employees.

Since the enactment of the community quarantine, the homegrown Cebuano retailer, together with Vicsal Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of its mother company, Vicsal Development Corporation, has been working with stakeholders in projects addressing urgent needs. Key programs have recently been implemented in major cities in Luzon and Visayas. These include donation drives, feeding programs, and distribution of face masks for medical frontliners.

In the hope of alleviating hunger and keeping communities nourished, food bags were donated to Caritas Manila, MRSGI’s long-time CSR partner. These were given to families of laborers from various communities who lost employment when the quarantine was imposed. Meanwhile, poultry products from Bounty Fresh Chicken were distributed through the Rotary Club of Cebu to Mandaue City municipal frontliners and indigent residents of various barangays in Cebu City.

Recognizing the critical role and brave sacrifice of medical frontliners, protective face masks were disseminated in public hospitals and testing centers all over Cebu, Leyte, Samar, Metro Manila and Luzon. These include Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City Medical Center, Lapu-Lapu District Hospital, Ormoc District Hospital, Marabut Samar Rural Health Unit, University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Novaliches District Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Ospital ng Makati, Lucena United Doctors Hospital and Medical Center, to name a few.

On the homefront, MRSGI conducts regular disinfection of all touchpoints and high traffic areas in the stores before, during, and after operating hours. From the loading docks to the warehouses and the shelves these are sanitized round the clock while advisories on health, safety, hygiene, and physical distancing echo across every corner of Metro stores, guiding and rallying everyone to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

MRSGI ensures that Metro Supermarket shelves are stocked with basic goods and essential items that shoppers need. As the battle against COVID-19 persists amid more relaxed quarantine measures, MRSGI customers can expect to get the same great value from a wide assortment of quality products at affordable prices. Also, they can be sure that all food products are handled according to international standards of quality and food safety as Metro is the only store in the Philippines with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certifications. Metro Department Stores and Super Metro Hypermarkets are also open to provide a variety of general merchandise such as apparel, accessories, homeware, furniture and appliances.

MRSGI demonstrates through its COVID-19 response that it puts people, safety and health first. These underscore its view that the company leaders, employees, business partners, and communities are all part of One Metro Family. Throughout many challenges, this familial spirit has always been the company’s source of strength and inspiration to continue serving and caring.