The synergy behind SM's disaster response

“We were at the forefront during that time na tumutulong. In fact, as soon as tumigil ang pagyanig nung time na ‘yun, all hands on deck na kami. Hindi ko pa nun alam kung ano yung OPTE, pero ‘yung mga kasama ko sa mall, sabi nila, may opportunity para makatulong dun sa mga nabaha nearby. Sabi nila, ‘sama tayo. Nung inabutan namin, umiyak siya nang umiyak. Sabi niya, hindi siya makapunta dun sa barangay hall kasi binaha ang bahay niya... Sabi niya, parang akala niya, makakalimutan na siya. Pero ang saya-saya niya na pinuntahan namin siya, na may pag-asa. It’s really great to be part of a team, a group that is able to support and help the community in good times and in bad times.” ~Andrea Rodriguez, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Head for Pampanga

In a country that suffers an average of 20 typhoons per year and is susceptible to earthquakes, communities in the Philippines often face the challenging task of having to rebuild lives overnight. Cooperation becomes crucial in these circumstances, especially for thousands of Filipinos whose lives have been completely upended by natural disasters.

For the SM Group, assisting communities in getting back on their feet is more than just a responsibility; it is a shared commitment embedded in its service culture. At the heart of this effort is the SM Foundation's disaster response program, Operation Tulong Express (OPTE).

OPTE brings together dedicated volunteer teams with the shared objective of assisting those in need. It is carefully supervised by the SM Foundation, SM Markets, and SM Supermalls. Workers at SM Markets construct Kalinga Packs in warehouse hubs that act as packaging centers while SM trucks and vans transport the goods to the affected areas. Employee volunteers from the foundation and SM Supermalls personally provide supplies in the spirit of bayanihan. They also support medical missions that offer free consultations, first aid, and medication in more badly impacted areas.

For Andrea Rodriguez, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Head for Pampanga, service is rooted in lived experiences, especially since her family was among those affected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Years later, she witnessed devastation firsthand during the 2019 earthquake that affected her province and the rest of Luzon.

Her first OPTE experience came earlier when, as a new SM employee, flooding hit communities near the San Fernando mall. One of her most vivid memories was when they provided support to an 80-year-old resident in a remote barangay in Angeles following widespread floods during the pandemic.

According to Ana Datu, Regional Operations Head for Bulacan and CAMANAVA, the company’s strong culture of helping others has shaped the way employees live and work. Because of this, lending a hand has become second nature.

“We normally conduct OPTE in basketball courts so that mas marami ‘yung mapuntahan namin. But we also take time to go to the eskinitas — na kung minsan may naiiwan na mga bata at matatanda. Kapag nakita mo sila, parang may lungkot. ‘Nakalimutan kami, naiwan kami kasi nandun sila lahat sa basketball court. But when they see us there with the Kalinga Packs at inabot mo ito sa kanila, they feel ‘Wow! Hindi kami nakalimutan. These are the people who remember us.’ When I joined SM, I learned that community service and social responsibility are a big thing here. It has been a culture. It has been a habit. And it's not difficult to imbibe this because you see it, and it transcends. It starts from the leaders, trickling down to the entire team. So, everybody's moving. If you see the environment and the environment forges you to help and to be empathetic to the plight of everyone surrounding the community, surrounding the mall, your community; then mai-imbibe mo siya.” ~Ana Datu, Regional Operations Head for Bulacan and CAMANAVA

Regional Operations Head Ana Datu delivers essential relief to a flood-impacted resident, embodying the spirit of SM's volunteerism. She ensures even those in hard-to-reach areas feel: "Wow! Hindi kami nakalimutan."

Both Ana and Andrea highlighted how volunteering shaped their outlook on work and in life.

A heartfelt embrace from a CAMANAVA resident receiving essential relief. By reaching deep into communities, SM volunteers ensure those affected feels remembered and supported, embodying the commitment of OPTE.

Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), a social good collaboration of SM Foundation, SM Supermalls and SM Markets, is the group’s disaster response initiative that provides immediate relief and essential goods to communities affected by calamities. In heavily impacted areas, it also deploys medical missions that offer basic healthcare and first aid.

SM Strengthens Commitment to Community Resilience

“The SM Group, through SM Foundation, has been working directly with communities to give them the assistance they require, especially in times of calamities and natural disasters, by leveraging our corporate assets to secure resources. We are committed to being a responsible neighbor in the communities where we operate. SM Foundation works in synergy alongside the different business units of SM. We actively engage with affected communities through dialogues, ensuring that our efforts are aligned with their needs on the ground. This collaborative approach helps us strengthen the impact of our initiatives, and we follow up with an impact assessment to continuously improve our programs.” ~Debbie Sy, SM Foundation Executive Director

The Operation Tulong Express program was mobilized to assist families displaced by a fire in Tondo, Manila in 2024.

By employing corporate resources, like as products and company volunteers, to provide urgent aid to underprivileged areas in times of need, SM continues to uphold its commitment to responsible and inclusive growth.  To date, the SM Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) division of the SM group, has carried out 783 relief missions and distributed 982,415 Kalinga Packs, demonstrating its dependability as a partner in disaster response and recovery.

Together with SM Supermalls and SM Markets, the SM Foundation carried out 41 Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) in 2024, distributing over 108,000 Kalinga Packs. The SM Foundation's disaster relief program, OPTE, delivers basic essentials and necessary medications to victims of natural disasters in a timely and critical manner.

SM Foundation continues to advance SM’s vision of committed partnership with their host communities. 

In underprivileged communities, SM Markets is typically the first to provide assistance with their Kalinga packs, which include rice, mineral water, ready-to-eat meals, and instant noodles.  Additionally, Airspeed and 2GO are involved in logistics.  Essential goods are provided by SM Malls through SM Cares, a branch of SM Foundation.  Employees of the mall also assist in getting aid to the impacted communities. 

Since electricity is sometimes interrupted during major calamities, SM facilities also frequently act as makeshift residences for victims, offering them places to rest in addition to charging stations.

With focus on development approaches in operational areas, SM Foundation also collaborates with employees allowing them to take part in relief operations.

From education to a holistic community service

SM founder Henry Sy, Sr,’s advocacy was primarily education. He believed that it is key to ending the cycle of poverty in the Philippines. 

Committed to its advocacy in promoting quality education, the SM Foundation inaugurated a school building at the San Fernando South Central Integrated School in San Fernando, La Union in 2024.

However, Super Typhoon Haiyan, also referred to as Yolanda in the Philippines, struck the country in November 2013.  Eastern Visayas and the adjacent areas suffered significant damage as a result of the super storm.  For the first time, the SM Foundation made a comprehensive attempt to support the impacted areas.  Later on, the group felt compelled to assist with disaster relief.  They carried out emergency medical assistance, disaster relief, scholarship programs, public school construction projects, medical missions, housing projects, and even farmer trainings. 

Now, SM Foundation has targeted social investments not only in education but in healthcare, livelihood, and shelter. 

The SM Foundation acknowledges the critical role that education plays in community development, particularly in times of crisis.  From repairing a fire-damaged school in Tagbilaran City to rehabilitating Sta.  Barbara Central Elementary School in Zamboanga City after the 2013 siege, the Foundation is committed to reconstructing educational infrastructure.  To provide a secure learning environment, it also provides hygiene kits and builds handwashing stations in schools.  Over 370 classrooms and 110 school buildings have been constructed by the SM Foundation to date, bolstering regional educational institutions and boosting catastrophe resilience.

Just like a good neighbor present in both the good times and the bad, SM Foundation is ready to assist their host communities when needed. 

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com

SM's Loyalty Program Raises PHP30 Million to address the lack of Food Security and Quality Education

“We owe our success to the participation of our loyal SMAC membership. Every purchase they made, every point they donated, goes a long way to the underprivileged families. Together, we can build a future where no one goes hungry. These will go into programs that will directly impact the lives of many Filipinos. Hapag's vision of fighting involuntary hunger resonates with SMAC, our retail partners, and our SMAC member base.” ~Kevin Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer, SMAC

Collaborating for good: SMAC and Globe executives as well as the campaign’s beneficiaries attended the turnover ceremony. From left to right: David Y. Jo, Head of Partnerships, Communications and Reports, UN World Food Programme; Eduardo C. Jimenez, Vice Chairperson, World Vision; Jun N. Godornes, Director for Resource Development, World Vision; Celerina R. Amores, Senior Director for Corporate Communications, Ayala Foundation; Yoly C. Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Globe; Kevin Y. Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer of SMAC; and Yaracel S. Macalindong, VP for Sales and Marketing of SMAC.

SMAC, SM's loyalty program, raised nearly PHP30 million between December 2023 and January 2024 to help address involuntary hunger and a lack of access to quality education across the country, in collaboration with Globe's Hapag Movement and the SM Foundation.

This is SMAC's second year working with the Hapag Movement, which aims to provide supplemental feeding and sustainable livelihood training to 100,000 Filipino families. Last year's campaign raised PHP5.5 million, benefiting 10,000 families.  

SMAC supported the campaign by donating P50 for every SMAC kit sold. Bonus points were also donated to the campaign for every eligible purchase made at participating SM Retail affiliates, which included SM Store, SM Fashion, SM Beauty, SM Appliance Center, Kultura, Our Home, Surplus, Sport Central, Silk Issues, Levi's, Forever 21, The Body Shop, Echo, and Crate and Barrel. 

This year, SMAC and Globe's collaboration generated nearly 30 million points, which will be donated to the Hapag Movement and the SM Foundation. 

United to make a difference

According to the most recent June 2024 Social Weather Station (SWS) survey, the country's hunger rate has risen to 17.6% from 14.2% in March. 

Meanwhile, Yoly Crisanto, Globe's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, emphasized the importance of working with SMAC.

“This partnership goes beyond seasonal efforts, providing sustainable support to families. By helping stave off involuntary hunger and enabling households to improve their livelihood, we’re building a foundation for lasting change. We are excited to continue this work and invite other organizations to collaborate with us so that together, we can make a difference.” Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer

Partner organizations of the Hapag Movement include UN World Food Programme, Ayala Foundation, and World Vision Philippines. 

Half of the raised funds, almost PHP15 million, were donated to SM Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM Group. In photo are (from left to right): Ramon Gil Macapagal, Board of Trustee of SM Foundation, Yaracel Macalindong, VP for Sales and Marketing of SMAC, Carmen Atayde, Director for Education of SM Foundation, and Kevin Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer of SMAC. 

“SMAC has proven that business and customers can unite to make a meaningful difference, and together we are helping build communities across the nation. Simply chose to give have changed lives, especially for economically challenged but deserving students from vulnerable communities. SMFI shares with our fellow recipients, our fellow beneficiaries, the deep appreciation of SMAC's big heart to make a difference in the lives of the underserved members of our society.” ~Carmen Atayde, Director for Education, SM Foundation

The donation will allow 35 underprivileged students to pursue and finish their education. On the 31st year of the SM Foundation, they have already supported 4,500 graduates. 

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth-largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com.

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com.

SM Foundation and Fast Retailing Foundation join hands to protect coastal villages

“Yun ang pinakamalupit. Akala ko nga natapos na ang mundo sa akin noon (I thought life was too harsh. I thought that was the end of my world). Malaking tulong itong mangroves para sa akin, para sa pamilya ko at sa aking mga kababaryo na magkaroon din po ng hanapbuhay. Sa darating na mga henerasyon, makakatulong ang mga bakawan sa dipensa sa malalakas na alon at hangin (Mangroves are a huge help not just to my family but to my fellow villagers, also in supporting livelihood. The bakawan will help the next generation gain protection against strong winds and waves).” ~Mr. Canilao, a fisherman by trade

Mario Flores Canilao thought his world was about to end when Typhoon Glenda (International: Rammasun) struck his village in the province of Pampanga in July 2014 and ravaged a fishing pond where he derived his main source of livelihood.

Despite the blow he was dealt, he mustered the will and determination to move forward. Soon, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources enlisted his help to plant Bakawan or mangrove trees.

As the president of the Samahang Makakalikasan ng Pampanga, Inc. (SAMAPA), Mr. Canilao has been working tirelessly with the government and the private sector in the last decade to help build a coastal forest for the natural protection of their community in the municipality of Macabebe, to avoid pitfalls in the wake of another storm like Typhoon Glenda.

This year, he is delighted to know that SM Foundation, the social good arm of SM and Fast Retailing Foundation, a general incorporated foundation in Japan, are providing extensive support by planting Bakawan trees in his coastal community under their joint ‘Grow Trees Community’ project. This reforestation initiative is set to introduce at least 100,000 mangrove trees of the Bakawan babae and lalaki species in Barangay Consuelo in the municipality of Macabebe, the second site after the project formally launched in Batangas last September 27.

Aside from providing a natural coastal defense against storm surges, the Bakawan has been widely personified in Filipino fiction and many children’s books for its role in nurturing biodiversity in the environment.

“As visitors, we often see the beauty of the mangrove thickets, but for communities, this is nature’s shield that protects them from natural calamities and serves as breeding grounds for fishes and shellfishes. A well-preserved mangrove forest can provide an ecosystem of interconnected benefits promoting biodiversity in marine life and a reserve of valuable resources. Beyond this, the collective efforts of the community are vital to the preservation of the environment. As SM enables the growth of so many communities, we are also enabling these communities to lead the preservation of the environment in their areas. What’s good about this project is it goes beyond enriching the environment. We have an opportunity here to boost livelihood in the community while at the same time, helping improve the disaster risk reduction capabilities of the locality.” ~Cristie S. Angeles, SM Foundation Assistant Vice President for Livelihood and Outreach Programs

As part of their community engagement strategy and to sustain the project, the proponents are tapping the expertise of the community and partner agencies in monitoring the propagules to ensure their growth as mature trees.

The full impact of the project will all go to the community as they look after the trees moving forward.

“We are particularly drawn to this project which is a first in terms of our partnerships here in the country. Mangrove trees have an enormous capacity not only to absorb greenhouse gases making them ideal in bringing about climate benefits but they also enrich the biodiversity as well.  After we can confirm the success of this Pampanga project, we are looking forward to pursue more of these types of projects in the near future in collaboration with our partner, SM Foundation.” ~Mr. Yoshio Ishida, Secretary-General of FR Foundation

Apart from the two foundations, the Grow Trees Community initiative harnesses partnerships with SM Supermalls, various government agencies, as well as volunteers from the chosen provinces. These include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, DA-BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National Police, the local government of Macabebe and Peoples’ Organizations (POs) such as SAMAPA.

The Grow Trees Community is in support of the SM Green Movement that aims to improve the quality of life of communities through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living and a green culture.

FR Foundation focuses on promoting research designed to help make the world a better place, spurring technological development, nurturing human resources, and supporting socially vulnerable individuals or groups.

It is part of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., the leading Japanese retail company that owns well-loved casual wear brand, Uniqlo.

SM Foundation Marks 1st Medical Mission at SM City SJDM Since Pandemic

“We just hope for the best, for the continuous recovery of the economy and that all of us can get the immunization that we need against the virus, so we can do more of this kind of activity, which really helps a lot of people.” ~Jose Mari Emmanuel Correa, SM City San Jose del Monte Mall Manager

Vital Sings check-up. The City Social Welfare and Development Office of San Jose del Monte provided volunteers during the Medical Mission at SM City San Jose del Monte as the patients lined up to avail the benefit.

In collaboration with the City Health Office (CHO) and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), SM Foundation through SM City San Jose del Monte conducted its first medical mission since the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic.

SM Foundation and its partners provide basic services to the residents of San Jose del Monte. The community service comprised of medical and dental checkup, tooth extractions, X-rays, electrocardiograph or ECG, blood sugar test, cholesterol test, uric acid test, and hemoglobin test.

To ensure everyone’s safety, and to limit the number of people that may flock during the mission, CSWD pre-identified the beneficiaries who are part of the indigent sector of the community.

SM Foundation volunteer distribute the prescribe medicine to the beneficiary of the ‘Gamot Para Sa Kapwa’ Medical Mission at SM City San Jose del Monte. 

SM City San Jose del Monte management on the other hand, included the employees of its partner agencies such as guards and janitors to take advantage of the medical mission.

SM City San Jose del Monte Mall Manager, Jose Mari Emmanuel Correa said that the numbers of beneficiaries for this medical mission may be lower than the previous ones but the safety of all the participants including volunteers, is the top priority.

Free medicines and vitamins were also distributed as prescribed by the volunteer doctors during the activity.

In total, there are 349 patients were served and 488 services were provided.

SM Foundation Donates test kits to Municipality of Taytay

Taytay, Rizal Mayor Joric Gacula, and Vice-Mayor Mitch Bermundo receive the donation of Covid-19 test kits from SM Foundation, turned over by SM Supermalls' Johanna Rupisan, Cid Victoria and Maureen Fernandez. 

The 2,400 test kits worth close to PHP5M is in support of wider access to testing. These Test Kits were turned over by SM Supermall Representative Johanna Rupisan and Cid Victoria respectively. The donation was an initiative by SM Foundation that aims to strengthen our fight against COVID-19 Pandemic by improving our testing capability and screening to immediately diagnose and impose quarantine management to those who are suspected.