Human Waze
Despite roadblocks and checkpoints, Sherra Lee Devio and Entrego truckers delivered relief goods to thousands of families
Words by RHYS BUCCAT
They had hit a dead end.
Sherra Lee Devio checked the map and quickly calculated the next best route. She had been tasked to oversee the delivery of food packs, containing milk, rice, and other essentials donated by Ayala Foundation, Globe Telecom, Asian Development Bank, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation. Thousands of families were waiting for these goods. She needed to find a way.
Entrego: To Deliver
Sherra is part of Entrego, the logistics company under AC Infra. The company name literally translates to “he delivered”—reflecting a commitment to the customers, despite any roadblocks. During the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, entire areas were closed off. Truckers had to find alternative routes and pass through multiple checkpoints to get to their destination.
““Ako talaga hahanap ng ruta para sa kanila. May mga truckers kasi na hindi naman marunong gumamit ng navigation apps. Ako ang dumidiskarte.” ”
Sherra had to be the “human Waze” for Entrego’s truckers. “Ako talaga hahanap ng ruta para sa kanila,” she said. “May mga truckers kasi na hindi naman marunong gumamit ng navigation apps. Ako ang dumidiskarte.”
While it took 12 days to fulfill these shipments, Sherra said the long hours were worth it. They were able to deliver the food packs to more than 10,000 families on time. It was the final step in a massive effort to serve the many communities targeted by different donors—and proof that even in the middle of a pandemic, when there is a will, there is a Waze.
“Napakasarap na feeling na nakakarating ‘yung shipment sa mga nangangailangan. Sana naging malaking tulong ‘yon sa kanila,” she said.
Ready to go. Mountains of relief goods are sorted, packed and prepared for delivery to the different communities.
Moving at the speed of need. Entrego works to deliver the relief goods as fast as possible, knowing that for many recipients, these could mean the difference between a warm meal or going hungry that day.
A room with a view
Amazingly, Sherra coordinated all of this while working from home. She lives with her parents and a sibling, so she had to lock herself up in her room to avoid any distraction. With her IT background, setting up a home office was a breeze for her. She even installed a ring light, which she uses for her makeup gigs.
““Kapag masaya kayo sa work, mas efficient kayo.” ”
According to Sherra, maintaining a good relationship with the truckers is an important part of her job. “Ituring mo sila na parang tropa. Marami sa drivers naming ang friends ko na rin sa social media. Doon na kami nag-uusap, nagkaka-kumustahan,” she said. “Kapag masaya naman kayo sa work, mas efficient kayo.”
During the lockdown, Sherra also had to be the breadwinner of her family because her father didn’t have a regular job. And she feels happy and fulfilled to help provide for her family.
“Masuwerte po ako dahil tuloy-tuloy ang suweldo at benefits ko,” she said. “Malaking tulong po ito sa pamilya ko.”
Tropa. The Entrego team have always been good friends. Before the lockdown they would hang out (and pose for selfies like these) and follow each other on social media.
At 23, Sherra may have her whole life ahead of her, but she said she wants to spend the rest of her life in Entrego—something you don’t normally hear from a 23-year-old first jobber. “I feel blessed na mayroon akong trabaho ngayon,” she said. “But I am more grateful that my job allows me to help people. Para sa akin, iyon ang purpose ko.”
She would even refuse a job offer from Waze, she said in jest, despite drivers telling her that she sounds like Catriona Gray. With a job she enjoys and allows her to help others, Sherra believes she’s on the right track. #
PUBLISHED AUGUST 26, 2020
