Jollibee Group vows commitment to food safety

FOOD safety has always been the Jollibee Group’s anchor in serving great-tasting food and maintaining its customers’ trust worldwide. As part of its Global Sustainability Agenda dubbed Joy for Tomorrow, the company is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable food safety practices across its supply chain.

“Food safety has always been part of our DNA. Across all our brands, we go to great lengths to ensure safety in all our practices―from food production and handling to processing and distribution,” said Wally Mateo, Jollibee Group vice president and head of quality management.

Jollibee Group conducts yearly food safety inspections and certifications across all its stores, commissaries, and logistics. In 2022, the company conducted over 15,000 food, service, cleanliness and condition audits across all its stores worldwide. Jollibee Group employees also received over 125,000 online training hours on ensuring food safety and service quality.

The Jollibee Group uses risk-based and flexible methodologies to thoroughly verify the food safety and quality systems of its suppliers, commissaries, and distribution centers. It also conducts annual risk assessments to determine the appropriate audit mode, which is tailored fit to the store’s needs and to the season or external conditions during the audit period.

Aggregator riders have an important role to play in ensuring food safety for customers, which is why part of this year’s World Food Safety Day Celebration of the Jollibee Group is an initiative to educate riders on food safety.

As of 2022, 100 percent of the Jollibee Group’s commissaries have their own internal audit system, which adheres to at least one external globally recognized standard such as Food Safety System Certification (FSSC), Safe Quality Foods (SQF), and ISO22000, among others. In addition, 94 percent of its commissaries have obtained third-party certifications

Coca-Cola PH, partner push for circular economy

LAGUNA, Philippines―Three years ago, Coca-Cola Philippines and Plastic Bank Philippines made a pact to support a circular economy in the Philippines by creating the Ecosystem Impact Program.

It is an initiative that builds collection and recycling systems in communities to prevent plastic bottles from ending up in places where they should not be―including our rivers, oceans, and landfills―while at the same time, empowering workers in the solid waste management sector.

Since then, their efforts have resulted in the collection of more than 8.7 million bottles for recycling and the activation of 33 waste collection centers across Cavite and Laguna, many of which are located in coastal communities.

Through the support of Coca-Cola Philippines, the Plastic Bank ecosystem now has 600 waste collection members, equipped with tools and equipment for efficient waste collection, financial and business literacy, operations management, and health and sanitation.

The partnership is aligned with The CocaCola Company’s World Without Waste global sustainable packaging strategy, whereby the company aims to make 100 percent of its packaging recyclable globally by 2025, use at least 50 percent recycled plastic in its packaging by 2030, help collect the equivalent of every can and bottle it sells by 2030, and bring people together to support a healthy, debrisfree environment. Ocean defenders

Coca-Cola Philippines recognizes the role that waste collection locations play as part of the “backbone” of solid waste management in the country. “Through these high-profile waste collection locations, many consumers are encouraged to segregate their waste and recycle,” said Atty. Cashmer Dirampaten, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Director, East Region of Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific East Operating Unit.

“They encourage consumers to bring recyclable plastic bottles to waste collection locations so those can be reused, instead of being thrown away and ending up in places where they should not be.” from audits recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The Jollibee Group also recognizes the importance of maintaining food safety standards in the transport, storage, and distribution of food products. Therefore, the company ensures 100 percent of its third-party logistics providers in the Philippines acquire ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems certification.

Guido Sarreal, Plastic Bank Regional HR Business Partner for the Asia-Pacific Region, acknowledges Coca-Cola Philippines for its continuous support to the Plastic Bank Ecosystem and its waste collection members. “We are very honored and privileged to have an organization like Coca-Cola Philippines that is sincere in their efforts in helping drive a circular economy for plastic packaging, and in helping our partners and collectors increase their capacity, capability, and ability to thrive and to support their families,” Sarreal said.

Cavitex shoots for 2nd straight PBA 3x3 title

CAVITEX tries to become the first team to win back-to-back honors in the PBA 3x3 First Conference Season 3 as Ayala Malls Manila Bay hosts Leg 5 starting Monday.

The Braves were just a week removed from topping Leg 4 when they toppled TNT Triple Giga, 21-17.

Focused in its bid, the 3x3 team of NLEX shuffled its roster by inserting Dominick Fajardo for Tonino Gonzaga and goes with the trio of Kenneth Ighalo, Bong Galanza, and former national team player Jorey Napoles.

Cavitex opens its campaign against Terrafirma at 1:50 p.m. in the latter part of another heavy 13-game schedule in Day 1 of pool play.

Joining the Braves and Dyip in Pool A is Northport

Tagaytay Combat Sports Complex now open to public

THE Tagaytay Combat Sports Complex, a visionary initiative spearheaded by Tagaytay Mayor and Philippine Olympic Committee President, Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, is now open to the public.

Officials say the project was brought to life with the aim to inspire athletes of all ages, from the young and aspiring talents to seasoned competitors, providing them with a dedicated space for their training, events, and more.

Boasting of ample space, the Tagaytay Combat Sports Complex can comfortably accommodate approximately 1,400 participants at any given time.

The carefully designed facilities cater to a wide array of combat sports, making it an ideal venue for disciplines such as boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, and many others.

The picturesque location of the complex in the city of Tagaytay further adds to the allure, providing athletes with a breathtaking backdrop to find focus and motivation.

Batang Pier.

TNT, winner of Leg 3, leads Pool B behind the quartet of Almond Vosotros, Ping Exciminiano, Samboy De Leon, and Gryann Mendoza.

With the Triple Giga in Pool B are San Miguel Beermen, Blackwater Smooth Razor, and Purefoods TJ Titans.

Comprising Pool C on the other hand, are Meralco, Wilcon Depot, Pioneer Elastoseal, and Leg 1 and 2 winner Barangay Ginebra.

Purefoods tangles with Blackwater to open hostilities at 10:30 a.m.

The knockout stage featuring the top eight teams from pool play, will be held on Tuesday.

Champion of the penultimate leg of the First Conference will receive P100,000.