SariLink initiative connects Catanduanes stores to Starlink internet

Filipino startup Packworks, in partnership with the non-profit Help.NGO, has launched the SariLink program, integrating Starlink Internet’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Connectivity into sari-sari stores in Catanduanes.

The pilot program has already set up LEO communication terminals in select micro-retail stores on the island, giving small entrepreneurs in remote areas access to digital tools and services to improve their business operations.

The SariLink program is designed to bridge the digital gap that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) often face due to unreliable internet access. The “Better Internet for All Filipinos” 2024 report by the World Bank indicates that despite recent advancements, the Philippines is still lagging behind neighboring countries in Southeast Asia (SEA) in terms of internet connectivity. The report highlights that issues of affordability, speed, and access create a disparate digital landscape.

Moreover, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that Internet access and speed are significantly lower in rural regions, underscoring the challenge of reaching geographically isolated and rural areas.

Store owner Cynthia Icaonapo from Pandan, Catanduanes, reported a significant improvement in managing her business with the new LEO connection.

“Noon, manu-mano naming sinusulat ang bawat pinamimili ng mga customer… Kaya laking pasasalamat namin at nakabitan kami ng Starlink Internet dahil mas pinadali na nito ang bawat transaksyon namin sa araw-araw,” (“Before, we manually wrote down each customer’s purchases… So, we are very grateful to have been connected to Starlink Internet because it has greatly simplified our daily transactions.”).

With the support of Amazon Web Services (AWS) analytics, the sales growth of stores enrolled in SariLink will be monitored to optimize their operations effectively. Icaonapo’s Nisos Variety Store, for example, saw a 53% increase in transactions in February 2024 following the installation of the Starlink terminal.

Help.NGO’s Innovation Director Matthew Cua emphasized the transformative potential of connectivity for community resilience.

“Bridging the digital divide, especially in isolated communities, can bring outsized impact on resiliency by giving people the ability to communicate and connect to the internet, they are able to build their own resilience. We are excited to work with local partners, including Packworks, to push resilience through connectivity,” said Matthew Cua, Innovation Director of Help.NGO.

Packworks Co-founder and Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.

“We are thrilled to partner with Help.NGO, a collaboration that advances our vision of bringing digitization to the forefront of Philippine economic development. This partnership is not just about providing technology but about crafting a future where every small business owner has the tools to succeed in the digital age. Through this strategic collaboration, we are excited about the potential to expand this initiative, ensuring that the benefits of digital connectivity reach every corner of the Philippines and setting a precedent for grassroots-level economic resilience and sustainability.”

The SariLink initiative represents a strategic collaboration between Packworks and Help.NGO, two organizations dedicated to enhancing digital and financial literacy at the grassroots level, with the goal of creating resilient and robust communities.

The program’s one-year pilot seeks partners and funders to expand its reach to more rural areas of the Philippines.