Empowering Women on Wheels: Brenda Isederio’s Journey from Delivery Partner to Entrepreneur

Brenda Isederio, a third-year college student, has become adept at balancing her academic pursuits with supporting her family as a delivery partner for foodpanda logistics. Her mother works as a streetsweeper, and her father as a maintenance worker, making Brenda’s income essential to their household. Recently, her life took a significant turn when she was invited to join the Ka-pandaBIZ: Women on Wheels (WoW) program, a life-changing opportunity that provided her with the tools and skills to start her own business.

The Ka-pandaBIZ program, launched during Women’s Month, is designed to empower women in the Ka-panda delivery fleet by equipping them with the knowledge and capital to become entrepreneurs. Brenda, along with five other women, graduated from this program, receiving business training that included financial literacy, personal leadership, and strategies for running a successful sari-sari store. This training has been instrumental in helping Brenda and her family manage their store, providing a stable source of income.

Beneficiaries of Ka-pandaBIZ: Women on Wheels with their own sari-sari stores funded by the cash grant

Ron Sanders, Rider Experience Lead at foodpanda logistics, expressed pride in the graduates, highlighting their dedication and hard work. “We are very proud of the women who participated in the Ka-pandaBIZ: Women on Wheels program. This initiative shows our commitment to supporting and uplifting women in our Ka-panda community, providing them with opportunities to grow and succeed,” he said.

For participants like Lheniefer Dumo, a Ka-panda from Davao, the program has been transformative. She now supplements her income as a delivery partner with earnings from her sari-sari store, thanks to the business training and capital provided. Similarly, Jiemelyn Cortez, an active member of the LGBTQIA+ rider group, has found the program invaluable in helping her manage her store, applying the lessons learned to ensure its success.

The program also emphasized the importance of community leadership. Each beneficiary was encouraged to give back by organizing pay-it-forward activities such as community clean-ups, feeding programs, and back-to-school support. These efforts benefited over 300 individuals, including children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, reflecting the strong Filipino spirit of sharing blessings with those in need.

The Ka-pandaBIZ: Women on Wheels program underscores foodpanda logistics’ commitment to corporate social responsibility and gender equality. By empowering women like Brenda and her fellow graduates, the program not only enhances their livelihoods but also contributes to the economic growth of their communities.