Ordering non-Palaweno items and foods is now easier with the latest business in Palawan called Pasabuy – a facebook page where you can place your order once a week from different resto brand in the metropolis, even medicines and other products that are not available in the island due to irregular cargo schedules.
Ana Lustre, the owner of Palawan Pasabuy, thought about this business idea around end of June as a solution to the cravings of friends for favorite food such as noodles, donuts and even fried chicken, which Palawenos usually eat when travelling in the Metro.
“Nag start siya nung may pinost ako about Mendokoro Ramen, no’ng nakita no’ng friends ko ‘yong post ko, nagsabi sila na pwede ba next time pasabay kami, so dun na nag start,” Lustre said.
Being an operator of a hotel in the City which is heavily affected by this pandemic, Lustre thought very hard on what kind of business she can do to help her employees, and this opportunity popped up in her mind and slowly manage a once a week operation of buying things and food from Manila based on orders, and shipped cargo back from Palawan to Manila.
‘‘Our staff is from the hotel industry. We are the ones operating Holiday Suites, dahil pinaka affected yung industry namin sa tourism at meron akong mga staff na talagang hirap na, so kailangan kong mag isip ng mga negosyo na papatok ngayong pandemic, so ngayon yung mga staff ko na walang pasok nagkaroon ng trabaho dahil sa Palawan pasabuy,” Lustre shared.
From ordering a ramen, to donuts, medicines and even plants are now being air freight by Palawan Pasabuy as long it reached their cut off every Thursday in Puerto Princesa, and in their Makati office by Friday, buyers can bring their to-send items even documents at their Puerto office in Holiday Suites along National Highway opposite Robinson’s Mall. Lustre cleared that their operation is for pick up only since delivery is not an option for now.
“Mahal ang air cargo ngayon compared no’ng pre-pandemic, halos times two ang air freight ngayon compared sa pre-pandemic rates, kami were charging for 50 kilos up is P70 per kilo plus service fee, same din pag less 50 kilos plus service fee plus P80 per kilo,” Lustre added.
They are open to all the brands as long as it is available in Manila, Lustre’s team will find a way to bring it here in Puerto Princesa. Palawan Pasabuy is open from 9 AM to 6PM Monday to Saturday. The business is complete with all legal permits and license to support their business operations.
“Sobrang dami naming good feedbacks, maraming nag-thank you sa amin, parang very useful ‘to sa panahon ngayon, sobrang marami natuwa dahil simple joys like makakain ka uli ng KFC na dati once a month ka nasa Manila, mga simple joys na marami ang natutuwa,” Lustre said in closing.