(Image Source: Facebook/Lipa Status) |
The SM Group is sharing the love to the thousands of people in Southern
Luzon who are affected by the eruption of the Taal Volcano through Oplan Tulong
Express, a relief operations program that provides assistance to victims of
natural disasters. Spearheaded by SM Group's corporate social responsibility
arm SM Foundation, the program immediately served as one of the first
responders and gave assistance to communities in forms of Kalinga relief packs,
medical missions, and many other basic needs.
SM Supermalls, SM Foundation, SM Cares and the Philippine National Red
Cross all worked closely together to help the victims as soon as possible following
the Taal Volcano eruption which started on January 12th. They have sent a
truckload of 2,500 six-liter bottled water towards evacuation centers in
Batangas City and Lipa City and eventually prepared and delivered more than
6,500 Kalinga relief packs to evacuation centers and sorting sites which
contain bottled mineral water, rice, ready-to-eat meals and instant noodles. On
the other hand, the Oplan Tulong Express booths were already activated to
accept cash and in-kind donations in twelve SM Supermalls across South Luzon.
(Image Source: Facebook/Lipa Status) |
A series of Oplan Tulong Express Medical Missions have taken place in
various evacuation centers in Mataas Na Kahoy, Bauan and Lipa City since January
17th to help in different medical cases caused by the eruption. In partnership
with SM Supermalls and SM Retail, SM has deployed two mobile clinics with basic
medication, health services and facilities such as x-ray, ECG, nebulizers and
oxygen as well as volunteer doctors and medical personnel that can serve and
treat up to 1,200 medical cases a day. Aside from the relief operations, SM
also ensured the safety and well-being of its employees and their families who
live within the affected areas. In fact, 80 displaced employees of SM Center
Lemery which is temporarily closed were absorbed immediately by nearby SM malls
including SM City Batangas and SM City Lipa and were given emergency funds and
SM Go Bags packed with first-aid needs and Kalinga relief packs.
(Image Source: Facebook/Lipa Status) |
(Image Source: Facebook/Lipa Status) |
Furthermore, to help secure the livelihood of tenants and their employees,
MSMEs (micro, small and medium establishments) located in affected malls were
given a chance to open and operate their businesses at other SM South Luzon
malls so that their livelihood and that of their employees are secured well.
SM's disaster recovery center in Clark, Pampanga has copies of important
business records and documents for tenants who have enrolled in the program
including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise owners to retrieve and use for
insurance claims.
Anyway, anyone who wants to donate cash or in-kind for the victims of
the Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas and Cavite may drop-off their designated
Oplan Tulong Express booths at the following SM Supermalls: SM City Bacoor, SM
City DasmariƱas, SM Center Molino, SM City Rosario, SM City Trece Martires, SM
City Imus, SM City Sta. Rosa, SM City San Pablo, SM City Calamba, SM City
Batangas, SM City Lipa and SM City Lucena. SM Prime Holdings, SM Foundation, SM
Cares and the Philippine National Red Cross are gladly extending their gratitude
to those who do so.