In celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month, SM Cares launched the Emergency Preparedness Forum for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in SM City Consolacion.
Different senior citizens associations and PWD groups attended the forum which has the goal to educate and equip the attendees on understanding natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions, and how to prepare for such situations.
“At sa paghahanda sa sakuna, SM Cares believes that no one should be left behind, may edad man o may kapansanan. Sa pamamagitan ng Emergency Preparedness Forum na ito, tuturuan natin ang mga Persons with Disabilities at Senior Citizens ng iba’t-ibang survival tips na maghahanda sainyo sa iba’t-ibang uri ng sakuna”, Estrella Wamilda, mall manager, said in her opening message.
Speakers invited were Atty. Frank Quijano, Chairperson of the National Commission of Senior Citizens, Jeffrey Perez from PHIVOLCS, and the renowned survival expert Dr. Ted Esguerra who talked about Survival Tips for Senior Citizens and PWDs.
Since the forum first began in 2015, SM Cares has been able to provide training to 7,417 senior citizens and PWDs across the country since the forum’s conception, and was awarded Gold in 2020 and Silver in 2023 at the Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ annual Anvil Awards.
This initiative shows SM Cares’ support for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly “SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being”, “SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities”, and “SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities”.
SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, supporting initiatives focused on communities and the environment. Its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative.
To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.
