In photo (from L-R): DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, OPAPP Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, McDonald’s Philippines President Kenneth Yang, Vice President for Marketing Margot Torres, and RMHC Executive Director Joyce Gacutan.
MANILA, Philippines – McDonald’s Philippines has committed to assist in the government’s peace efforts in Mindanao, especially in areas covered by the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
In a recent gathering held at the Malacañang, Secretary Teresita Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) gave recognition to private institutions that have given their commitment to assist the government in establishing stronger ties with ARMM through programs that uplift the quality of living of its constituents.
Torres, Yang, and Gacutan of McDonald’s Philippines with OPAPP Secretary Quintos-Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
McDonald’s Philippines is among the first corporations that formalized this partnership with OPAPP. In bridging the gap of education within the region, McDonald’s Philippines through its charity of choice Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), will be implementing its flagship program that has been running for 10 years – Bright Minds Read (BMR).
“A pressing need in ARMM is a strong and sustainable education program that will provide the teachers and pupils with the critical skills and confidence they need in helping achieve real progress in their communities,” said Kenneth Yang, McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO.
“This is where Bright Minds Read comes into play –a beginning reading program for Grade 1 pupils that provides the necessary training for our teachers and appropriate materials for our pupils that will aid in building the foundation for better education and through this, a brighter future,” Yang said.
Also in attendance were McDonald’s Philippines Vice President for Marketing Margot Torres, and Ronald McDonald House Charities Executive Director Joyce Gacutan, who were all presented to President Aquino as a Business Partner for Peace.
McDonald’s Philippines will implement BMR in 300 schools within ARMM. Each school will receive a kit that includes 33 big books by Adarna Publishing, five of which are in English, and 28 are in Filipino.
A training program will also be held for the 700 teachers, principals, and supervisors in the schools to be able to run the program effectively, making use of the lesson plans and worksheets that come with the BMR kit.
With McDonald’s yet to open restaurants in ARMM, the company remains committed to extend assistance to the government for the Peace Process and progress in the region.
According to Yang, “We believe that the pursuit for unity and peace for our nation is everyone’s concern, and not just that of the government. McDonald’s Philippines is in the position to make a difference in the lives of the Filipinos, and we laud the government for leading this movement towards peace. We are one with the Philippine government in striving to make this effort a success.”
BMR is present in around 3,900 schools across 17 regions all over the country, including over 20 schools in ARMM.