MCDONALD’S TO HIRE SENIOR CITIZENS, PWDs OF MANILA

ELDERS and persons with disability (PWDs) of Manila will soon have a chance to work at the American fast-food chain McDonald’s.

This after the city government of Manila and McDonald’s entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the implementation of a program that would give jobs to senior citizens and PWDs.

The agreement was signed on Monday, March 18, 2024 by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and J&F Food Corporation training consultant Sofia Loriega.

Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto and Secretary to the Mayor lawyer Marlon Lacson attended as witnesses.

Manila’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) head Fernan Bermejo also graced the event.

Lacuna said the program aims to re-integrate the senior citizens and PWDs as “productive members of society.”

Under the deal, three senior citizens or PWDs will be hired per outlet of McDonald’s located within the city of Manila. Those qualified will undergo the necessary training.

There are 50 McDonald’s outlets in Manila.

Lacuna said those who will be hired will be working for not more than four hours per day, with shifts either in the morning or afternoon, and shall also be entitled to 13th-month pay, service incentive leaves, and company group insurance.

The available positions are for order presenters, drink drawers, table managers, and guest relations staff.

To further assist the program beneficiaries, Lacuna said she requested the Manila police to waive police clearance fees and establish courtesy lanes for seniors and PWDs applying for such clearances, for seniors and PWDs applying for jobs under the MOA.

The Manila mayor also said that all medical requirements will be shouldered by the Mayor’s Office, along with the “Fit To Work” medical certifications, physical and medical exams, and laboratory tests.

Those interested, she said, may check the Public Employment Service Office – City of Manila’s Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Senior Citizen Partylist Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes lauded the city’s program that provides job opportunities for senior citizens and PWDs.

“Muling pinatunayan ng nasabing MOA na ang Maynila ay isang Capital City of Equal Opportunity sa Pilipinas, Kasama ko si Mayor Honey Lacuna sa pagpupuri sa McDonald’s sa pagbibigay ng trabaho sa mga kwalipikadong senior citizens, iba pang nakatatanda at PWDs, Ordanes said, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Senior Citizens.

The lawmaker also cited Shakey’s, Sarisuki and KFC in Manila for implementing anti-discrimination laws in their companies.

“Naaalala ko rin at pinupuring muli ang Shakey’s, Sarisuki, at KFC sa Maynila sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas laban sa diskriminasyon ng ating bansa sa kanilang kumpanya.  Sa inspirasyon ng kanilang mga halimbawa, gagawa ako ng isang Senior Citizen Party-list award para kilalanin ang mga namumukod-tanging LGU, kumpanya, at organisasyon na mahusay na huwaran sa pagtataguyod ng mga karapatan, kapakanan, at proteksyon ng mga senior citizen,” Ordanes said.