Gainful employment for senior citizens and PWDs. Representatives from Jollibee Group, Antipolo LGU, led by Mayor Casimiro A. Ynares III (seated, middle), and Department of Labor and Employment-CALABARZON signed a memorandum of agreement for the reimplementation of Jollibee Group’s inclusive employment program in Antipolo City.

MANILA, Philippines. 15 August 2023. – A new batch of customer relations staff composed of senior citizens (SC) and persons with disabilities (PWD) will soon be serving customers again in select Jollibee Group-owned restaurants in Antipolo City as Jollibee Group and Antipolo City government signed a new agreement that provides jobs to qualified SCs and PWDs.

The initiative, which is part of Jollibee Group’s inclusive employment program, is a crucial step in the company’s thrust to foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

“Jollibee Group is committed to supporting programs that enable SCs and PWDs to remain engaged and productive members of our society,” said Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President, and HR Head for Philippines. “We are happy to once again collaborate with the Antipolo City government and provide qualified SCs and PWDs the opportunity to join us in our mission of spreading the joy of eating to everyone.”

Jollibee Group and Antipolo City government started this partnership in February 2020, benefitting over 40 senior citizens and PWDs from various communities in the city. The program was discontinued due to the pandemic.

With this partnership renewal, some qualified 36 SCs and PWDs will be part of the first batch of beneficiaries and will be deployed in nine participating stores by the third week of August. The participating brands include Chowking branches in Unciano, Marcos Highway, and Oliveros; Burger King branches in Vermon and Antipolo; Greenwich branch in SM Masinag; and Jollibee branches in SM Masinag, New Lores Antipolo, and Antipolo Capitol.

The nine participating stores will conduct a sensitivity workshop among its store teams on disability awareness and inclusion to allow them to properly and effectively communicate, interact, and work with SCs and PWDs.

“This is an essential part of the program to ensure that everyone in the team can work in harmony and be able to leverage on one another’s strength,” Angeles added.

The signing of the memorandum of agreement was held last July 18, and was led by City Mayor Casimiro A. Ynares III; Maria Fe B. Iquin, Manager of Antipolo Public Employment Service Office; and Mary Ann Lim, Assistant Vice President and Greenwich HR Head.

Also joining them were Rizza Masupil, Greenwich Operations Director of Greenwich; Felmarie Jolo, Chowking Operations Director; Shelwin Hizon, Jollibee Operations Director; Lorlyn Cordero, Burger King Area Manager.