In the aftermath of Typhoon Rolly, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles headed the distribution of hot meals to families in Brgy. Alima and Brgy. Sineguelasan in Bacoor, Cavite with the help of partners from the private sector.
The meals were prepared and provided by McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen (MKK) and San Miguel Food Corporation. Distribution was held last November 6, 2020, at the Bacoor Elementary School.
“Food and hunger concerns become more heightened during calamities, and the need for urgent, life-saving action is important.”
Nograles, head of Malacañang’s Task Force Zero Hunger said: “It’s crucial that we provide sustenance and nutrition assistance to those who were affected by one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country in recent memory. We’re very thankful to the private individuals, volunteer groups, and corporate partners who made this relief effort possible.”
The Cabinet Secretary added that disaster relief and assistance was a key component of the Task Force’s mandate, stressing that “food and hunger concerns become more heightened during calamities and the need for urgent, life-saving action is important.”
More than 3,000 beneficiaries received packed meals consisting of chicken fillet, rice, and bottled water from the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), with the assistance of San Miguel Corporation, Coca Cola, Dole Philippines and Metrobank as part of a comprehensive feeding program to families displaced by the recent typhoon.
Nograles was joined during the distribution by Mayor Lani Mercado, Kenneth Yang (McDonald’s President & CEO & RMHC President), Margot Torres (McDonald’s Managing Director & RMHC Vice President), Marie Angeles (RMHC Executive Director), Kin Lichauco (Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs of San Miguel Corporation), and the barangay chairs of Brgy. Alima and Brgy. Sineguelasan.
“Hunger is among our foremost concerns and we will claim victory over this adversary through a robust partnership between government and the private sector.”
The RMHC is the charity arm of McDonald’s Philippines and was established in 1995. One of its missions is to improve the lives of Filipino children through aid efforts in nutrition, housing, and education.
Since the declaration of community quarantine in March of this year, McDonald’s Philippines and RMHC have supported health workers and medical frontliners through food donations. So far, 320,000 meals have been provided for free by the McDo Kindness Kitchen to hospitals, police precincts, LGUs, and local communities.
“We were informed by our private sector donors that they will continue supporting our #GoodbyeGutom advocacy. As head of Task Force Zero Hunger, I’m very glad to hear this. We in government will provide the necessary resources and opportunities to expand this effort,” Nograles stressed.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, our assistance to Filipino families, especially our children, will not stop. Hunger is among our foremost concerns and we will claim victory over this adversary through a robust partnership between government and the private sector.”