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| AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Island virtually introduced and shared details on the airline's online travel retail platform AirAsia Shop during the celebration of the 123rd Philippine Independence Day hosted by the provincial government of Bohol. (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Facebook/Bohol LGU) |
AirAsia joins the provincial government of Bohol in celebrating the 123rd anniversary of Philippine independence which was held last June 12, 2021. The occasion in the said province began with a simple flag raising ceremony and laying of wreaths at the CPG Park in Tagbilaran City, Bohol's provincial capitol, followed by a program taking place inside the Ceremonial Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building where it was also streamed online via Zoom for off-site participants. Gracing the celebration were Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap, Vice Governor Rene Relampagos, Atty. Abel Demalerio representing Congressman Edgar Chatto, heads of government agencies, provincial and city officials, residents and members of the media.
In his special Independence Day message, Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap said, “As Bohol joins the nation in celebrating our 123rd Independence Day, the Covid Pandemic continues to dominate headlines and our way of life on a day to day basis. The damage to our economy is devastating. But despite our problems, there are day to day heroes who quietly do their share to keep our hopes alive and protect our people. Just like our local entrepreneurs and MSMEs who continue to find ways to provide a living to their workers and to help our local producers. Bohol is grateful that our partnership with AirAsia will hopefully provide a new and a better chance for our local entrepreneurs and MSMEs to sell their products – a welcome window of opportunity especially amidst the pandemic. This means those of our businesses that have been struggling will now be re-connecting with their suppliers of raw materials, and their workers through work-from-home or on-call arrangements as new orders arrive and production resumes. This means work and livelihoods become available for neighbors and skilled workers, and even our women in the community.”
On the other hand, AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Island, who was virtually present at the event, shared a message of commitment in supporting the craftsmanship of Boholanos by inviting Bohol-based merchants to join AirAsia Shop as a platform for them to market locally made products. Launched last January, AirAsia Shop is an online travel retail platform under the AirAsia super app which aims to bring a convenient and value-for-money shopping experience with home delivery service in partnership with the airline brand's logistics venture Teleport. “On this historical day, let’s free ourselves from the harsh effects of COVID-19. Apart from getting the vaccine, the other way to do that is to challenge ourselves to do better, diversify, and bring Boholano products to the next level. AirAsia will remain committed in extending our assistance to local enterprises in Bohol however we can through our enhanced digital platform which goes beyond flights. Though we have plenty of partnership opportunities for tourism stakeholders, our support to Bohol and its people go beyond the service and tourism industries, to include the retail industry very soon," Isla said.
“We invite interested merchants to join us on airasia Shop as we all shift digitally, leading to a better normal. The airasia Shop provides a great opportunity for local artisans and businesses to showcase and sell their products through the airasia super app, reaching a wider audience through our vertically integrated solutions. We hope to be able to deliver the very best of Bohol’s souvenirs, accessories, and beautifully made products to the NCR market soon, and hopefully nationwide as well, ” he added.
