The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll in the economy and businesses left & right are closing and the most affected are the food & tourism industry. The few surviving restaurants have resorted into take-out and food delivery app options just to stay afloat.

One of the initiatives that I noticed here in Iloilo City when the ECQ months began was Support Lokal. The Ilonggos have started this drive which is prioritizing to help local businesses and products, including micro, small and medium-scale business to be able to cope up in the economy.

They opened a Facebook Group named Support Iloilo Lokal Business for both the sellers & customers to interact and discuss. Local sellers can post their products and services as well as promote it on social media using the hashtag #SupportLokal.

I have been browsing through the newsfeed of that group and found some interesting and delicious dishes for take-out and delivery. Thus, I also started the Eat-from-Home Iloilo in my YouTube channel featuring those dishes.

Support Lokal not a new concept but it is ideal in the current situation of the pandemic and I think this is also practiced in other cities and their local economy.

Here below are the three ways to ‘Support Lokal’:

Buy the products – Obviously, the first one is to buy from them. They are making minimal profit at the moment and so making the most sale is the goal. That does not mean though that you buy all of them. Purchase within your means, without disregarding your basic necessities such as food, rent, etc. If you got an extra cash to spare, at least buy from the local seller.

Promote the business’ products/service – Starting with a simple share of the a Facebook post or image, it is already a relevant help in the business promotion. Sponsoring the ads also works, like what you see as Facebook ads in your newsfeed. That is a paid promotion that would appear based on the algorithm of the user’s activity and also on the target keywords provided in the settings i.e. #kaontailoilo, #IloiloFoodtrips, etc. 

Create an online campaign – Joining in one of the Facebook groups dedicated to local products and services is one of the ideal ways to have a ‘campaign’ that will encourage patronage of these products. People usually like to buy products that also coincides with charity, and that makes them feel happy and glad that they are helping others. 

There are still other ways which are abit more detailed in the promotion of your lokal businesses, but doing the basics are what I’ve mentioned above.

In conclusion, helping each others’ livelihood is a way we all can survive, recover, and get through this current life’s trial.

Stay safe everyone and until the next blog post.