Arroyo launches Jollibee commissary in Laguna

Don’t be surprised if you soon find President Arroyo as the new endorser of Philippine fastfood giant Jollibee.

Mrs. Arroyo inaugurated Jollibee Food Corp.’s new P1.5-billion fully automated commissary at Carmelray Industrial Park in Canlubang, Laguna yesterday.

"In the name of those who eat Jollibee hamburger for the past 25 years — and I can speak for them because I have been also eating at Jollibee for the past 25 years — congratulations. This is a very nice investment by Jollibee," she said in her brief speech in Filipino.

"It’s not only me who says this, but it’s the market that’s saying it: We know Jollibee is number one in hamburger sales," she said.

Flanked by Jollibee mascots and company officials, Mrs. Arroyo hailed Jollibee’s expansion as proof of the success of her economic policies and reforms.

"This is the biggest investment made by Jollibee. So congratulations and I thank you. I consider this a sign of trust in the policies of my administration," she said.

The commissary has a capacity to supply twice the number of Jollibee’s present 450 stores nationwide, Mrs. Arroyo noted, indicating future growth for the fastfood giant.

"And I’m very grateful that Jollibee has become a partner of our government in addressing the important aspirations of ordinary Filipinos such as jobs and putting food on the table," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo also congratulated her former trade secretary Manuel Roxas II "because this P1.5-billion investment by Jollibee is part of the 22 percent increase in investments" that he was able to entice last year.

Roxas resigned from the Cabinet last month to run for senator. He is among the Arroyo administration’s 12 senatorial candidates.

Roxas’ replacement, Cesar Purisima, formerly of SGV, was sworn into office by Mrs. Arroyo yesterday.

Earlier, Mrs. Arroyo warned that the country’s economic recovery efforts might be derailed if Filipinos elect the "wrong candidate" in the May presidential race.

Actor Fernando Poe Jr., the opposition’s bet, is considered as Mrs. Arroyo’s strongest rival because of his popularity.

However, his lack of experience in holding public office has made the business community nervous at a time when the country is contending with a faltering peso and a huge budget deficit.