Jollibee Group, DILG Partner to Advocate for Drug-Free Workplace

Commitment to Drug-Free Workplace. Jollibee Group delegation during the Private Partnership Launch of DILG’s BIDA Program (L to R): Ruth Angeles, VP and Head of HR Philippines; Barry Barrientos, Director for Corporate Communications; Steve Piczon, AVP for Government Affairs; and Pepot Miñana, Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer.

The Jollibee Group recently signed a memorandum of undertaking (MOU) with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to support the agency’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan or BIDA program, an intensified and more holistic campaign against illegal drugs. 

The BIDA program is DILG’s medium to long-term approach in the national campaign against illegal drugs, and focuses on prevention and health promotion, law enforcement, as well as penology, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The DILG has called for the active support of partner national government agencies, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector in advocating for drug supply and demand reduction. 

Under the MOU, the Jollibee Group, along with other private companies and organizations, will help boost the implementation of a drug-free workplace within the BIDA program framework. 

“We are one with the government in the fight against illegal drugs and we laud the DILG for a holistic anti-drug war framework anchored on multi-sectoral partnership and collaboration. We in the Jollibee Group are committed to promoting a drug-free environment in our worksites and contributing to the success of the nationwide BIDA program.” ~Pepot Miñana, Jollibee Group Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer

Industry Cooperation. Jollibee Group Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer Pepot Miñana (top left) signs the Memorandum of Agreement for DILG’s BIDA Program, along with several other representatives of the country’s top corporations.

A joyful, drug-free workplace

The Jollibee Group has an existing Drug-Free Workplace Policy that covers drug testing, screening, and rehabilitation. The drug testing, which is free of charge to employees, complies with the procedure for Drug-Testing under DOLE Department Order No. 53, s. 2003 or the Guidelines for the Implementation of a Drug-Free Workplace Policies and Programs for the Private Sector. This helps ensure a healthy workforce that provides joyful experiences to consumers in a drug-free store. 

The Jollibee Group also has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), available for employees and their dependents who may need counseling services through trained experts. EAP services are free of charge and are treated with utmost confidentiality. The company also has a referral system for employees needing treatment and rehabilitation to centers accredited by the Department of Health (DOH).

Crucial Role of Human Resources Team. Miñana introduces DILG Secretary Abalos Jr. to Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head, Human Resources Philippines (2nd from L). Angeles and her HR team will lead the intensified efforts to ensure employee awareness against prohibited drugs and a drug-free work environment in the Jollibee Group.

“We are committed to intensifying our efforts to increase our employees’ level of awareness and understanding on prohibited drugs by equipping them with the necessary information and support. This is our way to contribute to DILG’s BIDA Program and to promote a drug-free work environment for all our teams and customers.” ~Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head, Human Resources Philippines

To help raise awareness on dangerous drugs among employees, the Drug-Free Workplace Policy orientation is mandatory for the onboarding of newly hired employees. Health bulletins are sent through email and a fact sheet is made available on the company’s Human Resource platform. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committee are also set-up per work site and store establishment. 

About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC, also known as Jollibee Group) is one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world. Its mission is to serve great-tasting food and bring the joy of eating to everyone through its 16 brands with over 6,500 stores across 34 countries including the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, United Kingdom, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, and Australia. 

The Jollibee Group has eight wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); four franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines, and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee; and 51% ownership of Milksha, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand. 

The Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 90% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. The Jollibee Group has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. It also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States.

The Jollibee Group has launched its global sustainability agenda dubbed Joy for Tomorrow, which aims to strengthen the company’s commitment to sustainable business practices. The agenda centers on the key pillars of Food, People, and Planet, and consists of 10 focus areas namely: food safety, food quality, nutrition & transparency, employee welfare, farmers livelihood, community support, good governance, packaging & recycling, waste reduction, and energy & water efficiency. Each focus area sets goals and initiatives that contribute and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The Jollibee Group was named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies and among the World's Best Employers and World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes. The company is also a two-time recipient of Gallup’s Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the only Philippine-based company to receive the distinction. 

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com.