The city government of Manila on Tuesday, Aug. 9, signed a memorandum of agreement with restaurant chain Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. to provide employment for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Under the agreement, one senior and one PWD will be hired per Shakey’s branch in Manila.

"Ang mga seniors natin kayang-kaya pa nila, very willing and able pa ang ating mga seniors and persons with disability," Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan said.

She noted that the porgram begun before the pandemic and it has hired over 100 elderly and PWDs.

The program has given them an “opportunity to earn for their expenses and their families”, she added.

The mayor hopes that the number of seniors and PWDs who will be accommodated to work will increase in the future.

Shakey's HR Shared Services Head Alex Merano expressed the company’s willingness to support the programs of the local government.

Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto joined Lacuna-Pangan during the signing of the deal.

The program was first initiated under former mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s term.

In 2019, Moreno signed an agreement with fast food chain McDonalds’ to hire qualified senior citizens and PWDs in the 40 Mcdonald’s fast food chains in Manila.