(4 February 2014, Pasay City, Philippines) Employees of SM Investments Corporation (SM) and SM’s subsidiaries  have raised over PHP 1 million in cash donations in support of the rehabilitation projects for victims of typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan). 

On February 3, 2014, SM Vice President for Human Resources Joann Hizon (right) turned over the check worth PHP 1,037,899 to SM Foundation, Inc.  (SMFI). Accepting the donation are Cristie Angeles (middle), SMFI Assistant Vice President for Livelihood and Outreach Programs and Flor Gorospe (left), SMFI Assistant Vice President for Accounting and Administration.  

“We are very grateful to our SM employees for this donation and for sharing not just their hard-earned money but for also generously giving their time as volunteers in providing comfort and attention to our countrymen affected by typhoon Yolanda. This is indeed an affirmation of people helping people and through our joint efforts, we hope to continue responding and alleviating the lives of those who need us the most,” Ms. Angeles said.

The SM Group earlier pledged PHP100 million as a calamity fund in 2013 for areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan and a recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake, particularly in the Visayas region.  The fund will focus on five different types of assistance: rebuilding homes, community centers, schools, and churches, and providing immediate relief through food and supplies. 

In 2013, SM Foundation mobilized and responded to the victims of the Habagat (southwest monsoon), and typhoon Maring which struck Northern Luzon and Metro Manila. With the help of volunteer doctors, pharmaceutical companies, teachers, students and other volunteers, Operation Tulong medical missions serviced a total of 32 barangays or 2,700 families in Pampanga, Paranaque, Valenzuela City, Cavite. 

SM Foundation’s Operation Tulong Express also conducted a medical mission in SM City Consolacion in coordination with the Watson’s Group last November 2013 in the aftermath of Yolanda which covered Cebu City and nearby areas affected by the super typhoon. A total of eight barangays or over 1,500 individuals were served.

SM Foundation was one of the very first organizations to conduct relief operations and medical missions in Villamor Air Base. Food, water, relief bags, and medicines were given to survivors of Yolanda. In collaboration with the Philippine Air Force and with the help of volunteer doctors, pharmaceutical companies, teachers, students, and other volunteers as well as government and other non-government organizations, Operation Tulong Express conducted a 12-day medical mission from November 14-25, 2014. Over 5,500 patients were seen and treated at the medical mission tent.

SM Foundation has distributed 50,000 relief packs to the victims of the super typhoon, particularly in Tacloban, Samar, Panay Island (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo), Cebu, Bicol, and Bacolod. 

About SM Foundation

SM Foundation is the socio-civic arm of the SM Group of Companies.  True to its advocacy of “People Helping People”, the SM Foundation, Inc. empowers through education, livelihood training, housing, and health and medical programs. It offers college scholarships, medical missions, and farmers’ training and builds, donates, and maintains classrooms and school buildings to public schools. The Foundation also renovates and maintains wellness centers in public hospitals and health care centers. 

Under the SM Cares Program, persons with special needs, the elderly, youth, women, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and their families have been looked after.SM Cares has employed a holistic approach to managing the environment which builds on safety and security through disaster resilience, business continuity programs, and emergency preparedness. Environmental sustainability runs at the core of every project by adopting measures to conserve and preserve energy, water, and air quality. The SM malls have an active solid waste management system that engages not just the employees and customers, but the whole community. SM Cares utilizes a combination of communication campaigns through its Green Retail Agenda and the Green Film Festival. Its rehabilitation efforts like replanting of trees, progressive sustainable architecture, and engagement programs raise the environmental consciousness among Filipinos. 

For further information, please contact:

Cristie S. Angeles
AVP for Livelihood and Outreach Programs
SM Foundation, Inc.
Tel.no.: (632) 857-0100 local 1687
Email: livelihoodandoutreach@sm-foundation.org

Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2014