Daily TribuneSM mall employees help in disseminating assistance to the affected communities.
Kalinga Packs containing mineral water, rice, ready-to-eat meals and instant noodles are distributed to Manila residents affected by calamity.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SMF
SM continues to uphold its commitment to responsible and inclusive growth by providing immediate assistance to underserved communities in times of need using corporate resources, including products and company volunteers.
As the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM group, SM Foundation has distributed 982,415 Kalinga Packs and conducted 783 relief missions to date — underscoring its role as a reliable partner in disaster response and recovery.
In 2024, SM Foundation, in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets, conducted 41 Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) and distributed over 108, 000 Kalinga Packs. OPTE is SM Foundation’s disaster relief initiative, providing swift and vital support to victims of natural calamities through the delivery of essential medicines and basic necessities.
SM Foundation continues to advance SM’s vision of committed partnership with their host communities.
“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,” shared Debbie Sy, SM Foundation executive director.
Sy shared that the “SM Foundation works in synergy alongside the different business units of SM.”
SM Markets with their Kalinga Packs, consisting of mineral water, rice, ready-to-eat meals and instant noodles, is usually the first to help in underserved areas.
When it comes to logistics, Airspeed and 2GO are also present. SM Malls through SM Cares, also a division of SM Foundation, helps in providing essential supplies. Mall employees help in disseminating assistance to the affected communities.
SM establishments also often serve as temporary homes to victims providing them with spaces to rest in addition to available charging stations since electricity is also often disrupted during these disasters.
With focus on development approaches in operational areas, SM Foundation collaborates with employees allowing them to take part in relief operations.
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.
However, in November 2013, the Philippines was hit by super typhoon “Haiyan,” known in the country as “Yolanda.” The super typhoon caused severe damage to Eastern Visayas and the surrounding regions. This was the first time SM Foundation conducted a holistic effort to assist the affected communities. The group later on found it necessary to lend a helping hand in disaster relief. They conducted immediate disaster relief, immediate medical care, scholarship program, public school building program, medical missions, housing programs, and even farmers’ trainings.
Now, SM Foundation has targeted social investments not only in education but in healthcare, livelihood and shelter.
“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,” Sy further shares.
SM Foundation recognizes education’s vital role in community development, especially during crises. From restoring 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 rebuilding educational infrastructure. In addition, it installs handwashing facilities and distributes hygiene kits to schools to ensure a safe learning environment.
To date, SM Foundation has built 110 school buildings and over 370 classrooms, strengthening local education systems and enhancing resilience in the face of disasters.
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.
