SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique –Puregold opened its first branch in Antique on September 24, with the aim of boosting the local economy and providing livelihood for residents.

Antique Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda, in his message during the program, said that the opening of the Puregold does not only mean another store in Antique’s capital town of San Jose de Buenavista, but more of an indication of the growth of the local economy.

“I urge Puregold to hire more Antiqueño employees as part of job creation,” he said.

He further urged the management to open another store in the northern part of Antique to also employ people in the area.

Senator Loren Legarda, in a message read by the congressman, said that with their store and that of the other investors expanding in the province, Antiqueños are coming home because of the employment opportunities.

In a later interview, Puregold Vice President for Operations Antonio De los Santos said that they had ensured that most of their employees are from Antique, for they would like to create more jobs and offer quality service. 

“We also aim to bring jobs and offer employment wherever we are present,” he said.

He said that their Antiqueño customers would feel secure, safe, and cared for always when their employees or those attending to them are also from the province.

He also encouraged sari-sari store owners and other micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to inquire about the Tindahan ni Aling Puring booth so they could access quality products, learn from their mentorship on how to manage their businesses, and avail of their lifetime membership for free.

“In Panay, the Antique Puregold store is already the 15th, and we are always on the lookout for locations when opportunity presents itself, “De los Santos said.

PNA PHOTO