Ella Montalban | Posted on Aug. 4, 2020, at 12:00 a.m.
Limitations in the movement have been a concern for some Boholanos especially at this time where the whole country is facing this COVID-19 pandemic.
However, this pandemic also helped things turned around for Monica Gallentes and her cousins, who not only helped people get their essentials through their online supermarket but also provide convenience and hassle-free service to Boholanos they have already served.
Introducing their “eKumpra BHL” initiative, an online supermarket that provides various range of food and non-food products with just a simple click on the add to cart option on their website.
Gallentes, the proprietor of the said online supermarket, said it was also born out of their desire to “provide a more convenient and easy way of shopping in the province of Bohol” just like what their sari-sari store does.
It recently began operations last July 22, 2020.
According to Monica, they were really more inspired to continue this endeavor after some of their experience with several orders they’ve completed.
“She is currently in Manila and she bought groceries for her father who is already 76 years old and he is living in a very remote area somewhere in Tausion, Valencia, Bohol. Our delivery team went there and we realized how hard indeed for senior citizens to go in Poblacion just to buy their groceries and knowing the situation that we are currently in senior citizens are more vulnerable to COVID,” she said.
“We also have OFW customers, they use their time to gradually fill their cart by shopping online. They can order wherever they are in the world and we ensure to deliver it to their families in Bohol. We value our customers. We want to offer convenience and reliable service,” she added.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED
Currently, the website offers customers a wide range of products from food items, fresh produce, skincare, personal care, pet care, and beverages such as wine, beer, and spirits, among others.
They also offer Bohol’s famous delicacies and pasalubong items like their peanut kisses and calamay.
Navigating through the website is also quite easy and simple. For faster transactions, you may also create an account with them.
“Some shoppers still prefer buying in person, but spending too much time walking about a store can potentially expose you to others. Instead, we highly encourage our fellow Sano and Sana to order online, our Facebook page is eKumpra BHL and to visit our site at www.ekumpra.com,” Monica added.
Their delivery rates range from as low as P100 to a maximum fee of P500 depending on the area where you want your goods to be delivered.
They also offer free delivery within Tagbilaran City if you purchase at least P500 and anywhere in Bohol if it reaches P7,000. (See their full list of delivery rates on this link.)
PROVIDING JOBS TO DISPLACED WORKERS
With the increased expenditure on groceries especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, the demand to make these products readily available to people also requires a team to work on the delivery and other processes.
Monica said they aim to also provide jobs for those who are currently displaced and affected by the current situation.
In the future, she wishes to have this online platform become a venue where Boholanos can also showcase their other products.
