Coca-Cola suspends product ads to fund COVID-19 response

MANILA- Coca-Cola Philippines said Friday it would put on hold advertising of its products to use the money for COVID-19 relief efforts.

The beverage giant in a statement said it would re-channel P150 million for the provision of protective equipment for health workers, and delivery of food packs to families most vulnerable to the pandemic.

“Starting today, commercial advertising of Coca-Cola and all our brands in the Philippines will be put on hold. All our committed advertising space and budgets will be redirected towards supporting COVID-19 relief and response efforts for the most affected communities,” it said in a statement.

Coca-Cola said it would also provide beverages to health workers and support for small retailers affected by the economic fallout due to the pandemic.

The Philippines, as of Thursday, had 230 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 18 fatalities, while 8 patients have recovered.

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