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| (Image Source: MegaBites/McDonald’s Philippines) |
Children of Barangay Manggahan in Pasig City now have their very own Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Center as community officials and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and McDonald’s Philippines united in support of early childhood education, emphasizing their shared commitment to investing in the learning of young children. Attended by Barangay Captain Hon. Quin A. Cruz of Brgy. Manggahan, Pasig City Congressman Hon. Roman Romulo, Pasig City Vice Mayor Robert Jaworski McDonald’s Philippines Assistant Vice President for Corporate Relations and Impact and RMHC Vice President Adi T. Hernandez, Bahay Bulilit Learning Center teacher Freda Asis, and Pasig City Mayor Hon. Victor Ma. Regis "Vico" N. Sotto, the official turnover of the Bahay Bulilit Center highlighted the collaborative effort to create educational opportunities for the youth.
“Pandemya pa lang talagang andaming naitulong at naging matibay na partner na ng lungsod ng Pasig, ng ating pamahalaang lungsod ang McDonald’s (McDonald’s has already helped us a lot and has been a strong partner of the city government of Pasig.),” said Mayor Vico. Bahay Bulilit centers provide a safe space for children in communities to develop essential skills. McDonald’s and RMHC partner with local government units in identifying areas that need the facilities. These are later handed over to the local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for operations, each able to accommodate 90 to 100 learners annually. “This is the 1st Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit in Pasig City, and the 41st in the country. Truly, the Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit program demonstrates how the private and public sectors can work together to support nation-building,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez also underscored the partnership with the local government, saying, “McDonald’s has always been an ally of every community where we operate. As we grow, so should the communities we serve, especially children and families. It is our commitment to make a difference by driving positive impact through the programs of Ronald McDonald House Charities or RMHC, our charity of choice. In partnership with the Local Government and Department of Social Welfare and Development, a Bahay Bulilit opens its doors to learners 2-4 years old to provide them a safe place to learn and play while their parents work.” Pasig City welcomed its first McDonald’s store in 2005, particularly in Shell Emerald, and now has sixteen stores situated throughout the city which eventually becomes part of the daily lives of the city's residents. Bahay Bulilit is not the only way that McDonald’s Philippines is helping the city’s children and families in need. For close to eight years, McDonald’s has been a part of the annual Brigada Eskwela – helping public schools get ready for the next school year.
In the next school year’s preparations, schools and communities can look forward once again to McDonald’s active participation through ReClassified – a program that upcycles McDonald’s decommissioned restaurant furniture into desks and tables for public schools. Students and teachers can also benefit from the ongoing McDonald’s Day and Night Classroom. McDonald’s party areas are being transformed into comfortable learning spaces, providing them a place where they can learn safe from the scorching heat and heavy rains. The Bahay Bulilit in Pasig City is the 41st in the roster of these centers, following the recent opening of the learning center in Cabanatuan. McDonald’s and RMHC aim to establish 100 learning centers nationwide by 2028. “We are very grateful for the support and partnership with the Mayor’s Office and City Social Welfare and Development. For us in McDonald’s and RMHC, making a difference in communities has and will always be part of who we are and what we do — whether it is through employing in our stores – even for working students, taking care of the environment, or by supporting the programs of RMHC kagaya ng Bahay Bulilit (like Bahay Bulilit),” said Hernandez.
