Alagang AyalaLand: Giving social enterprises their space to shine
Through Alagang Ayala Land, ALI is allocating 1,800 square meters of space in its malls and estates worth a total value of about Php 24 million, to social enterprises for free. ALI aims to jumpstart the growth of these small businesses by providing them with the space they need to promote their products and services, in turn fueling local consumption and helping to accelerate the country’s recovery.
“The spaces in our malls will provide the social enterprises with direct access to their potential customers while enhancing our merchandise mix through their unique and locally authentic products. We help each other as a community.”
Manny A. Blas, ALI Vice President and Head of Alagang AyalaLand
Blas stressed that micro-to-medium enterprises have been greatly affected by the pandemic, with less than half of MSMEs fully operating based on Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) records as of June 2020. DTI records further showed that 46% are partially operating and 10% remain closed.
“Our various business units – from the estates, residential and commercial groups, will collectively support our goal of hosting at least 300 social enterprises in our malls and properties by December of this year,” added Blas. As of July, there are a total of 225 social enterprises that have been welcomed into Ayala Malls.
ALI’s Office business unit has likewise installed seven Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (or TODA’s) which provide transportation and delivery service in these buildings using a mobile ride-hailing app called Pick-App. In addition, the company has started a tree nursery in Altaraza and an urban farm in Bonifacio Global City, both established and operated by social enterprises.
“All these social enterprises enhance our service to our customers and, in the case of the tree nursery, ensures that our future requirements of local trees in our developments are met,” Blas said.
This initiative is part of Alagang Ayala Land, the company’s community engagement program to generate livelihood through social enterprises, provide disaster relief, and promote sustainable environment. All Ayala Malls are designated as Alagang Ayala Land Centers.
