6 Pandemic-proof Business Ideas in the Philippines | Security Bank Philippines (2024)

In these trying times, it’s good to have another source of income to stay afloat or make ends meet. If you have an emergency fund already and have a sizable amount sitting at your bank account, it makes sense to find ways to grow your money—like starting a business.

Starting a business in the middle of a pandemic is not an easy task. The recent restrictions can be a roadblock to your success. However, with the right research and planning, any business can thrive even in the middle of a pandemic. All you need is to adapt.

Here are some pandemic-proof business ideas you can start:

Drinking water is one of the basic needs. All of us need safe drinking water that can quench our thirst and refill our bodily fluids. However, not all drinking water is made the same. Tap water isn’t 100% safe to drink since it has lots of unfiltered chemicals and minerals. Meanwhile, bottled waters are just too expensive for daily consumption.

If you’re looking for water that is cheap and safe for daily consumption, a water refilling station is your answer. Putting up a water refilling business within your community is one of the best ways of having a continuous stream of income. Even in a pandemic, the demand for water is steady. In fact, the demand is up since everyone’s at their homes.

When starting up a water business, you have to think of costs such as a water refilling machine, rent, employees, vehicles, etc. Make sure that your station also passes the health and safety standards.

Rice is a staple food in the Philippines. After all, we are an agricultural country and everyone simply loves rice. Even in a pandemic, the demand for rice is steady and growing. You have customers who will repeatedly buy from your store and food establishments who order in bulk. You won’t even need marketing to sell rice.

In starting a rice business, you need to secure an NFA license first. You also need to have proper rice equipment and storage. If not stored properly, pests will obliterate your rice. And most importantly, don’t forget to register your business to the DTI.

If you don’t want to have the costs of renting space, utilities, and other fees in starting a brick-and-mortar shop, then an e-commerce store is for you. An e-commerce store allows you to have a scalable business for your products and easy interaction with customers.

What you only need is a well-functioning website or a social media page that showcases your products. Then, you need to set up seamless delivery options and payment methods for your customers. Also check out big e-commerce websites such as Shopee and Lazada. You can sell your products here.

Just a reminder that you still need to register your online business in DTI.

In a pandemic, delivery services are essential. Due to the threat of COVID-19, people prefer someone to buy things for them outside and deliver them to their homes. That’s why delivery and “pasabuy” businesses thrived. If you have a car, you can start your delivery service by offering unique products not being offered on Grab, Shopee, and Lazada.

Remember, you can deliver anything, not just food. Some “pasabuy” services even go further and handle the delivery of high-end items such as laptops, phones, bikes, etc.

When delivering, make sure to follow health and safety protocols. Your health is still the utmost priority.

When in doubt, go for food. After all, there will always be a demand for food. People are always in search of good food that will satisfy their cravings.

You can start your food business by renting a space for your restaurant or stall. Be creative and think of ways that haven’t been done before. However, keep in mind that we are still in a pandemic. Quarantine restrictions can be a temporary roadblock for your success since people aren’t going out. That’s why having an online presence and delivery options are vital for businesses nowadays. You can provide food for your customers in the comfort of their homes.

If you aren’t comfortable with the costs of rent and utilities in having a physical store, then you can also start a food business at home! It will definitely save you a lot of money. Just set up a social media page or website then people can order in their homes.

It’s been more than a year since the pandemic started and the gyms are still closed. People want to be physically fit but have lost their motivation. All it takes is someone who can push and motivate them to reach their fitness goals at home.

If you have a background in fitness, you can start home workout programs that people can join online via video conference. In addition, you can also start a diet/meal-prep plan for them. Staying fit and healthy is vital nowadays.