Marcos, Carney Visit Jollibee Branch in Vancouver, Symbolizing PH-Canada Economic Ties

VANCOUVER — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited a branch of the Filipino fast-food giant Jollibee here, a move Malacañang said reflects the growing business ties between the two nations. Marcos and Trudeau headed to the branch of the famous Filipino fast-food chain located at 833 Granville Street right after their bilateral meeting and joint press conference at the Vancouver Convention Center. “There’s no better place to celebrate the friendship between the Philippines and Canada than over a Jolly meal,” Marcos said in a Facebook post. “I was pleased to join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Jollibee in Vancouver, where generations of Filipinos have found not only a taste of home but also a reminder that, wherever we are in the world, our communities continue to thrive, contribute and make us proud,” the President said. The two leaders interacted with customers and were introduced to different Jollibee offerings. Marcos also greeted and shook the hand of the Jollibee mascot. In his remarks during their joint press conference, Trudeau joked that he and Marcos were heading to Jollibee as they did not eat during their working lunch. “We’re going to Jollibee to get some real sustenance,” the Prime Minister said. Jollibee Foods Corp. has a growing international footprint across North America, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in Canada this year. “Over the next few years, Jollibee plans to expand to over 85 locations, which is expected to support substantial job creation for Canadians and Filipinos, strengthen Philippines-Canada economic ties, increase exports of Philippine-made products and boost Philippine services exports through franchising royalties,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said. “Jollibee’s aggressive expansion means local job creation, as the move generates thousands of stable, rewarding jobs for both Canadians and members of the Filipino-Canadian community across restaurant operations, regional supply chains and local construction sectors,” it said. The rollout of franchising significantly contributes to the Philippines’ trade in services, as royalties earned from franchising are all registered as service exports for the Philippines, PCO said. Jollibee’s international expansion also directly drives the export of premium Philippine agricultural and manufactured products because signature products such as peach mango pie, ube pie, pineapple juice and Jollibee gravy are manufactured in the Philippines for export. According to the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau, Canada is Jollibee’s second-largest export market for Philippine food products, and the food chain also consistently ranks among the top exporting enterprises in the Philippines.