Strengthening Eco Stores Through Smarter Supply Chains
On September 3, 2025, the UP Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI) facilitated focus group discussion on “Assessment of Supply Chain for Eco Store & Eco Sari-Sari Store Operation” as part of their partnership with DANA Asia, formalized on August 5, 2025.
The session, held at UP ISSI, brought together 10 eco store operators from San Mateo, Rizal, Marikina City, Antipolo City, and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan to learn about critical supply chain management challenges affecting their business and zero-waste advocacy. The focus group discussions were led by Mr. Joshua V. Garcia and Ms. Karen Kay Coballes, both University Extension Specialist II of the Business Enterprise Development Division (BEDD); supported by BEDD staff, Ms. Janelle Faye Tanudtanud and Ms. Janeve Ali-Miranda while DANA Asia was represented by Ms. Charish Turado and Mr. Rejomar Gaspar.
The discussion aimed to conduct a participatory assessment of current operations focusing on supply chain, logistics and refill-retail systems, facilitate collaborative planning for practical solutions, and explore the formation of a cooperative organization that would enable bulk purchasing power and cost-effective transportation logistics for these sustainable retail establishments that serve as refilling stations for household essentials while promoting zero waste practices and community-based environmental advocacy.