Restaurant refuses to lay off employees, helps them earn an income amid lockdown

A restaurant in Ermita, Manila has continued to support its employees despite stopping their operation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According Mariz Umali's report for "24 Oras," Sangkap did not layoff its employees even though it lost its daily income of P35,000 to P40,000.

The restaurant, which has been serving its customers for 17 years, instead thought of ways to help its workers make a living.

"Ang turo sa akin ng mga magulang ko na 'yung mga empleyado po namin hindi lang po sila empleyado, pero parte din po sila ng pamilya namin dito sa Sangkap," said owner Maica Tiu. "Kaya po kung ano man po ang mangyari sa kanila ay kargo po namin sila."

Sangkap organized a nine-day donation drive in order to raise funds to cook food packs for frontliners battling the coronavirus. This way, its employees can earn an income by helping with the preparations.

"Wala po kaming kinukuhang kita, pero 'yung magluluto po tsaka mag-aayos po ng mga pagkain makakakuha po sila ng suweldo," Tiu said. "Parang ripple effect sa mga tao na na-touch sa ginagawa namin tapos tumulong."

When the donation drive was over, Sangkap started offering food trays online to keep their business going for the sake of their employees.

From initially earning only P2,000, the restaurant now makes P15,000 to P20,000 per day.

"Ito po 'yung bread and butter namin for a very long time. Kaya kung bibitawin namin siya o isasara namin siya, para na din po kaming sumuko sa mga gusto naming marating sa buhay," Tiu said. —MGP, GMA News