In observance of National Disaster Consciousness Month this July, SM Supermalls reminds communities and citizens to remain alert when it comes to calamities and emergencies, highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness especially amid the ongoing fight against COVID-19.
ARISE Philippines, a UNDRR-led program, is the country’s network of private sector organizations that are united in the cause of promoting disaster resilience. SM Prime Holdings is the country’s secretariat.
SM has been at the forefront of disaster preparedness in the private sector, for many years now, continuously introducing initiatives that help promote readiness during emergencies. Among these is the annual Emergency Preparedness Forum for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens led by SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility program of SM Supermalls. The annual forum focuses on the resilience of the elderly and persons with disabilities, two of society’s most vulnerable sectors during emergencies, by giving them proper information and training on preparedness.
SM’s other initiatives on resilience include its rain water collection facilities in several of its malls that help prevent flooding in the community, a data storage and recovery facility for its mall tenants, regular training for its employees, service providers and business partners on disaster resilience and business continuity, and active participation in the government’s regular shake drill activities. SM Prime Holdings allocates 10% of its CAPEX for the disaster resilience features of its malls.
To learn more about SM Cares and its other programs, visit the SM Supermalls Facebook page at www.facebook.com/smsupermalls/ or at www.smsupermalls.com.
