Insider Spotlight
The quick-service restaurant chain's volunteers cleaned, repaired and repainted classrooms while providing meals to teachers, parents and community volunteers participating in the Department of Education's annual school maintenance initiative.
Why it matters
The program highlights how private sector volunteerism continues to supplement government-led education initiatives, particularly as public schools prepare for the return of millions of students.
In Quezon City, employees from the McDonald's Restaurant Support Center volunteered at Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School through the company's Good Trip employee volunteerism platform, repainting Grade 4 and Grade 5 classrooms, cleaning school facilities and distributing school kits with raincoats, according to a company release.
"It is a powerful reflection of who we are as McDonald's. It speaks of our culture of malasakit, our spirit of volunteerism, and our shared commitment to make a difference in the lives of others, especially for the benefit of our youth," McDonald's Philippines vice president Human Capital Group Ben Marasigan said.
The bigger picture
Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School, which serves nearly 5,000 students, also received cleaning tools, school supplies, signages and raincoats to help students stay protected during the rainy season.
"Our partnership with McDonald's is important because it reminds us that we are not alone in our mission of providing children with a better future," assistant principal Enelda Martinez said.
For senior financial analyst Francesca Acop, whose grandparents were public school teachers, volunteering through Brigada Eskwela provided an opportunity to give back while helping create a better learning environment for students.
What's next
McDonald's Philippines said employee volunteerism remains part of its community engagement efforts through Good Trip, with Brigada Eskwela serving as one of its annual initiatives supporting public education.
McDonald's Philippines, whose master franchise holders Dr. George T. Yang and Kenneth S. Yang introduced the brand to the country in 1981, now operates more than 860 stores nationwide and supports community programs through Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
