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| Elderly residents of SMDC's Grass Residences in Quezon City participating in Globe Telecom's #SeniorDigizen program (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/SM Development Corporation) |
The SM Group, through SM Development Corporation (SMDC), recently collaborated with Globe Telecom to roll-out the #SeniorDigizen program in its residential properties, fostering a safe and inclusive digital community for elderly residents. The initiative aligns with SMDC’s commitment to protecting residents and encouraging a vibrant community spirit by equipping senior citizens with the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world safely. The #SeniorDigizen offers free, tailored learning sessions on topics such as cybersecurity, fintech apps like GCash, and telehealth services like KonsultaMD. The pilot program was launched at the Grass Residences in Quezon City, benefiting elderly residents who are often targeted by online scams. According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), senior citizens are frequent victims of digital fraud, which resulted in losses of approximately Php155M (155 million pesos) in 2023.
“The #SeniorDigizen program is part of our ongoing commitment to empowering our senior residents with the tools and knowledge they need to confidently navigate the digital world. Our goal is to create an immediate impact within these communities, and as we continue to grow the initiative, we plan to reach out to our neighboring communities by hosting similar events for them,” said SM Prime Holdings Inc. and SMDC First Vice President and Head of Design, Innovation and Strategy Jessica Bianca T. Sy. Grass Residences was chosen as the pilot site due to its significant senior population. For residents like 76-year-old Connie Cailles, the program was a welcome opportunity. Ms. Cailles, a resident of Grass Residences recalled how excited she was when she saw the program in one of the notices in their building’s elevator. Upon completing the lessons, she added how helpful the staff and the program were in attending to her and fellow seniors, compared sometimes to relatives who would often lose patience in teaching her the know-how of navigating her phone’s features and essential apps. She said, “Okay po na nakatutok sila sa amin. Lalo na kasi pasensyoso’t pasensyosasila. Kasi usually kapag mga kamag-anak ko — mga alam mo na — parang naoobligadosila. Kapag sa mga ganitong programa, pakiramdam ko naii-spoil tuloy kami. (It’s nice that the staff are patient with us seniors. Usually, when it’s my relatives — you know how it is — they feel obligated. But in programs like this, it feels like we’re being spoiled.)”
The program’s success was echoed by Elbert Mozo, Treasurer of the Grass Residences Board of Trustees, who stated, “This activity had the highest attendance of seniors here at Grass. Although some are still adjusting, I see them really trying. Thanks to SMDC and Globe, I think more attendees will join after this.” The half-day program ensured that all participants received hands-on assistance, fostering an environment where seniors could learn without fear of judgment or discouragement. SMDC plans to expand the initiative, inviting more participants from other communities. The SM group has been at the forefront of initiatives that support and uplift its community of senior citizens. Through SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation and the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, the group supports initiatives focused on communities and the environment. Some of its advocacies include the Emergency Preparedness Forum for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Senior Citizens, an annual forum equipping vulnerable sectors, such as PWDs and the elderly, with emergency preparedness skills to help them protect themselves and their loved ones. Since its launch in 2015, the program has successfully trained over 7,417 individuals to date. In addition, the Walk for Life parade is an event to honor seniors during the celebration of Elderly Filipino Week. In line with SM Foundation’s mission to provide targeted social investments in education, healthcare, and livelihood to help underserved Filipinos improve their lives, seniors are also beneficiaries of the health and wellness centers.
