Lapu-Lapu gets learning center for kids

CEBU, Philippines — McDonald's Philippines through its charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines Inc., opened its first Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Center in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday.

Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan expressed his thanks to the company for building  the P3 million worth facility that will benefit day care pupils in his barangays and other neighboring barangays.

In a statement, McDonald’s said that RMHC Philippines has worked closely with various stakeholders in championing early childhood development of Filipino children kids since it opened its first Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Center in 2002.

The local government unit identifies the community and donates the land for RMHC—through McDonald’s—to build the structure of the learning center.

Day care teachers are then assigned by LGU and community volunteers engage the children in educational activities where they make use of Ronald McDonald Read to Learn kits which include 34 big illustrated books for storytelling.

In Lapu-Lapu City, RMHC Philippines closely coordinated with Chan who recommended the site in Brgy. Pajo.

This is the first Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Center to open in the city welcoming 70 children from the barangay who will find a safe space where they could learn and play.  This marks the third Bahay Bulilit Learning Center in Cebu, with the two others located in Cebu City and Mandaue City.

Making this center “extra-special” is that the Lapu-Lapu City site boasts of two floors with the first serving as the learning center and the second floor dedicated for the parents to learn more about livelihood skills.

“McDonald’s has always supported the communities where we operate through employment generation, environment sustainability & local store initiatives or through RMHC and its programs,” said Margot B. Torres, RMHC vice president and McDonald’s Philippines managing director.

Torres said that this is part of their commitment to make a positive impact in communities as they continue to grow.

“We are excited for this Bahay Bulilit in Barangay Pajo as it is the first of its kind that will benefit not just children but their parents through the livelihood skills trainings. Through this, we aim to provide a lasting impact in the lives of Filipino children and families here in Lapu Lapu city and across the country,” she added.

With the opening of the first learning center in Lapu-Lapu City, RMHC now has a total of 34 Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers all over the country.

For 2020, RMHC sets its sights to open four more Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers as part of its 25th anniversary. /JMD (FREEMAN)