Aim high, think big, Aquino urges entrepreneurs

Jollibee. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Aim high. That was President Benigno Aquino III’s message during a milestone celebration of a fast-food chain Tuesday.

“Tulad po ng ehemplo ng Jollibee—huwag na tayong mangarap nang patingi-tingi (Like the example of Jollibee – we should not dream of small things),” Aquino said Tuesday during the company’ twin celebration held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace.

Jollibee Foods Corporation celebrated the opening of its 800^th local store in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last Oct. 8, 2013 and its 100^th international store in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last Feb. 19, 2014.

“Sa loob po ng 36 na taon, naging bahagi na ang Jollibee ng kuwento at kulturang Pilipino. Kabilang ka man sa isang pamilyang nagsasalo pagkatapos magsimba; ikaw man ay isang OFW na nami-miss ang sariling bansa—talaga naman at home ang Pilipino sa Jollibee,” the President said in his endorsement-like speech.

(For the last 36 years, Jollibee has been a part of the culture and story of the Filipino people. May you be part of a family gathering for a meal after mass; may you be an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) missing your country – surely, Filipinos are at home at Jollibee.)

Aquino praised the fast food giant for its ability to expand from 100 branches in 1991 to more than 900 in 2014 in the Philippine and other parts of the world.

Also lauded was the company’s contribution to society. After the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Yolanda,” Aquino said Jollibee served 68,000 congee meals, 12,00 hot meals, and more than 16,000 relief packs to 160,000 individuals affected by the disaster.

The President discussed lengthily the company’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program, which allows local farmers to become direct suppliers to Jollibee stores. Among the products sold by local farmers are onions, bell pepper, cacao and kalamansi.

“Ang bunga nito: mas malaking kita para sa ating mga magsasaka sa iba’t ibang lalawigan ng bansa, tulad ng Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Quezon, Ilocos Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, at Bukidnon,” he said, adding that perhaps the same could happen inn Tarlac and Capiz.

(The result is larger revenues for our farmers in different provinces in the country like in Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Quezon, Ilocos Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Bukidnon.)

Aquino revealed that the Department of Agriculture has been working with the company through offering agricultural training. For 2013 alone, a budget of P8.1 million was set aside to increase the production and income of farmers.

“Sa pag-asenso ng inyong negosyo, umuunlad rin ang lokal at pambansang ekonomiya, kasabay pa ng paglago ng oportunidad para sa ating mga magsasaka. Lahat umaangat, at sa huli, Pilipino ang panalo,” he told the company’s officers.

(With the growth of your business, the local and national economy progresses, together with the increasing opportunity for our farmers. Everyone prospers, and in the end, Filipinos win.)

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