GOLDEN ARCHES Development Corp. (McDonald’s Philippines) and the Pasay City government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) allowing senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to work in the city’s branches of the fast-food chain.

McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Kenneth Yang and Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano signed the agreement.

Managing Director Margot B. Torres said that all 14 McDonald’s branches in Pasay City will now employ at least two senior citizens and one PWD in all stores.

“We are committed to be a partner of the communities championing fair and equal employment opportunities,” said in her speech at the signing of the MoA.

McDonald’s Philippines said in a statement that this would open employment to 50 more senior citizens and employees and they will receive “world class training as an order presenter, drink drawer, table manager or overall guest relations.”

Similar agreements have been signed with Pasig City and Manila, Adi Timbol-Hernandez, communications senior manager of McDonald’s Philippines said, adding that there will be more agreements with other cities.

“As we enter into these partnerships with these cities, other cities are also now taking interest and are approaching us also for the same partnership,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the MoA signing.

Ms. Timbol-Hernandez also said that the group is working together with the Public Employment Service Office in screening applicants.

Close to 100 senior citizens and PWDs have been hired since September when agreements were signed with Manila and Pasig City.

A job fair for 15,000 job openings was also held at the Cuneta Astrodome as part of Pasay City’s 156th Foundation Day celebration and the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE) 86th anniversary.

DoLE said in a statement that a total of 100 establishments joined the job fair, from industries like wholesale, retail and trade, health, beauty and wellness, hotel and restaurant, among others. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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