COVID-19 has not come to an end. It will not be the last pandemic. But as long as we are helping each other the best way we can, we will prevail over the coronavirus and other health crises to come.
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija – The year 2020 has been defined by COVID-19. The most severe public health challenges in recent history, countries across the globe have come to realize that they share a common future and must join hands in helping each other.
On Jan. 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. SM started ahead and launch an in-house health protocols through “Safe Malling” campaign wherein customers must wear face mask, temperature check and sanitation before entering the mall. Regular sanitation and information dissemination about COVID19 for awareness and precautions.
PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE
March, the lockdown was announced due to the increased of the number of Covid19 positive in different part of the country, SM immediately responded by giving the employees their salary and an opportunity to work-at-home, rentals of tenants has been waived, financial support given to agency personnel including security guards and janitors, free rapid testing for all employees.
Gallons of alcohol was delivered to Media offices as support for local reporters on duty amid of the threat on the virus they are working to deliver current information to the public which is very essential during that time.
SM donated Personal Protective Equipment’s, N95 and surgical mask, gloves, alcohols and other needs of medical frontliners at Dr. Paulino J. Garcia (PJG) Research and Medical Center.
SM also donated temperature scanners and encourage food tenants to donate foods and drinks to other frontliners on the streets protecting the boundaries of Cabanatuan City and the province of Nueva Ecija.
Kalinga Packs relief operation was conducted in different Barangays and to jeepney and tricycle drivers those livelihood has been affected because of lockdown.
During the most dangerous and difficult times, SM in this city make sure that services for essential needs are open and ready to serve to community like SM Supermarkets, SaveMore Market, BDO and Chinabank and Watson’s Pharmacy.
As online shopping and deliveries have become the new norm, SM Buddy, Call to Deliver Services and Cabanatuan Wheels-on-the-Go, along with the SM Community Rider program, is one of SM’s way to reach their shoppers while making sure that their tenants and communities generate income.
A HOPE THAT THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
SM Regional Manager Mr. Ian Ezekiel Balao said that even in times of uncertainty, SM is and will always be a family that will support and lift one another.
“It has been in the principle of everyone in SM. It was lesson being thought to us by Tatang Henry Sy Sr. to help our people cope with difficult circumstances with the best that we can” said Balao.
SM started to opens door to a brand-new opportunity, Kasama ng SM program was launch that is geared towards helping Micro, Small, and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to bounce back stronger. With immediate and long-term solutions such as rental relief during the ECQ and continued concessions offered by SM, MSMEs are able to endure the financial burdens brought by the pandemic.
In Nueva Ecija there were on going SM Foundation Inc. Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Sustainable Farmers Training Program sites in San Leonardo, Palayan City and Bongabon with 25 trainees each sites to graduate with National Certificate from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) helping marginalize sectors of the community to have sustainable livelihood amid of the crisis.
LESSONS FROM PANDEMIC
Be a safe place for everyone, SM ensured the safety of shoppers as malls resumed operation with essential and non-leisure services. Strict safety and sanitation protocols over and above those mandated by IATF and DTI were put in place to assure shoppers that SM malls are safe and clean.
Resiliency is the key, Covid-19 has made clear the need for resiliency which the company can move forward to continue doing business in a stable manner, even amid unprecedented challenges. SM is a place where they can feel assured that despite any disruptions, the businesses will be able to continue and hopeful that soon everything will become better.
SM, at its core is a business run like a family. There are millions of families in SM, there were employees and manpower, agency personnel, affiliates and tenants, tricycle, bus and jeepney drivers, the shoppers and the community as a whole. And just like a family, leave no one behind in this difficult situation. Everyone has a role to play in this fight against Covid-19, and for SM, it is about ensuring that everyone in the family receive the help they need to recover from this crisis, while also prioritizing their safety and convenience.
