P&G: No more Pampers, Tide, Whisper in Phl

Pabili nga po ng Pampers.

- By JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

Filipinos might be familiar with the task of buying baby diapers, calling them Pampers.

The global brand has become synonymous with babies’ absorbent garments since it debuted in the Philippines in 1988.

Just ask Filipino moms like Liezyl Gak Gak, who has narrated her parenthood journey with Pampers, which she describes as a “trusted brand.”

"Pampers is automatically part of my grocery list. There are a lot of diaper brands, but my trust will always be with Pampers," Liezyl said in a public Facebook comment.

"Pampers did not fail us, whether it was overnight or during long trips. Even at times when our baby cannot sleep because of growth spurt," Liezyl added.

And so, when information circulated on Facebook that Pampers would no longer be sold in the country, Liezyl was "super affected."

"It is the end of an era," she said.

Liezyl is not alone in her sentiment.

On Wednesday, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines Inc., the manufacturer of Pampers, confirmed to The STAR the cessation of the production and sale of three product categories: baby care (Pampers brand), feminine care (Whisper pads) and laundry bars (Tide and Ariel).

Changing consumer patterns

P&G Philippines said the discontinuation of three product categories — baby care, feminine care and laundry bars — will allow the consumer goods giant to “refine” its product portfolio in the country that is “consistent” with its “strategy of investing in innovation and brand superiority to drive sustainable growth.”

“The cessation of production and commercial operations in baby care, feminine care and laundry bars will enable the company to allocate resources towards enhancing our core offerings and better serve consumers,” P&G Philippines said in an email to The STAR.