In celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month, SM Cares hosted its 2025 Emergency Preparedness Forum, uniting communities, local government units, experts, and volunteers to promote inclusive disaster preparedness, with a focus on empowering senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Since its inception in 2015, the initiative has trained over 12,000 elderly and differently-abled individuals nationwide, equipping them with vital skills to face emergencies confidently.

This year’s forum reached over 2,500 participants across five SM malls: SM City Davao (30 June), SM City Sorsogon (2 July), SM City Legazpi (3 July), SM Seaside City Cebu (7 July), and SM North EDSA Skydome in Metro Manila (10 July). Attendees, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, barangay officials, SM employees, and frontliners, engaged in region-specific training addressing risks like typhoons, earthquakes, flooding, and volcanic eruptions.

Participants received hands-on, accessible training on critical topics, including proper responses to earthquakes and typhoons, creating personalized family disaster plans, assembling Go-Bags, and understanding early warning systems from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). SM employee volunteers provided dedicated support to ensure elderly and differently-abled attendees could fully participate in learning life-saving techniques.

Renowned disaster response expert Dr. Ted Esguerra led dynamic sessions, emphasizing practical readiness and survival thinking. “In any emergency, presence of mind and preparation can mean the difference between life and death. Forums like this empower the elderly and persons with disabilities by turning fear into readiness. It’s not about age or ability—it’s about knowing what to do, having the tools, and being mentally and emotionally prepared to act when it counts,” said Dr. Esguerra. Representatives from PHIVOLCS and PAGASA also shared localized risk information, enhancing community awareness.

Each participant received a free Emergency Go-Bag Starter Pack containing essentials like a whistle, flashlight, and hygiene items, reinforcing the forum’s practical lessons. The event featured demonstrations, such as flood and earthquake survival drills, and saw active participation from diverse groups, including persons with Down syndrome, highlighting the value of inclusive community engagement.

Held in collaboration with local government units in Davao, Sorsogon, Legazpi, Cebu, and Quezon City, as well as agencies like PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, and others, the forum exemplified a whole-of-community approach to disaster risk reduction. SM employee volunteers and organizations like Wilderness Search and Rescue Philippines, Inc. further strengthened the initiative.

“Preparedness is not just a responsibility — it’s a right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability. Through this forum, we empower senior citizens and differently-abled members of our community with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, SM Cares Program Director for Disability Affairs and Senior Citizens.

The Emergency Preparedness Forum aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). As SM Supermalls celebrates 40 years of evolving with Filipinos, the initiative underscores its commitment to fostering inclusive, resilient communities through sustainability and innovation.