Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. (SPAVI) has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Quezon City government to open employment opportunities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) across its company-owned stores in the area, reinforcing the Group’s broader commitment to inclusive hiring.
The agreement, signed in May 2025, marks the fifth such partnership between SPAVI and a local government unit (LGU), strengthening its role as a corporate leader in inclusive employment in the Philippines. The signing was led by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and SPAVI executives Carlos Robles III (National Operations Director) and Marielle Santos (Chief Human Resource Officer), along with representatives from city agencies supporting the initiative.
“We are excited to partner with SPAVI… everyone should have an opportunity to build a better life through respectable livelihoods,” said Mayor Belmonte, lauding the partnership’s alignment with Quezon City’s pro-inclusion policies.
This collaboration is part of SPAVI’s inclusive hiring program launched in 2023. Since then, the Group has employed 261 senior citizens and PWDs, with Quezon City’s newly signed MOA paving the way for health assessments and onboarding of new hires through local city services.
Further anchoring its social agenda is Love ‘Em Down, SPAVI’s flagship inclusivity initiative supporting individuals with Down Syndrome in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI). Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Shakey’s hosted Pizza and Smiles and joined DSAPI’s Happy Walk—community events that promote creativity, self-expression, and public engagement for people with Down Syndrome.
Since launching Love ‘Em Down in 2018, SPAVI has supported 58 individuals with Down Syndrome through employment and community programs.
“At the heart of it all, we are a people business,” said SPAVI president and CEO Vic Gregorio. “Our aim is to create a workplace where diverse talents are not just welcomed but empowered. We hope our efforts inspire others to help build a more inclusive society.”
SPAVI’s integrated inclusivity programs—anchored in corporate, commercial, and community value—reflect its growing role as a socially responsible business committed to building a more equitable workforce in the Philippines.
