Through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Foundation, the company has distributed 982,415 Kalinga Packs and conducted 783 relief missions, reinforcing its role as a key partner in disaster response and recovery.
In 2024 alone, SM Foundation, alongside SM Supermalls and SM Markets, carried out 41 Operation Tulong Express missions, distributing over 108,000 Kalinga Packs filled with essential goods. But the effort doesn’t stop there—SM Malls open their doors as temporary shelters, offering rest areas, charging stations, and essential supplies.
Logistics arms Airspeed and 2GO ensure fast distribution of aid, while SM Markets provide food and water to affected communities. Employees also take part, volunteering their time to assist in relief efforts and directly distribute aid.
“The SM Group, through SM Foundation, has been working directly with communities to give them the assistance they require, especially in times of calamities and natural disasters, by leveraging our corporate assets to secure resources. We are committed to being a responsible neighbor in the communities where we operate,” Debbie Sy, SM Foundation executive director, said in a statement.
Sy shared that the “SM Foundation works in synergy alongside the different business units of SM.”
While disaster relief is a priority, SM Foundation’s commitment extends beyond emergencies. It also focuses on long-term community development, working closely with local groups and employees to create sustainable support systems.
Education champion
SM founder Henry Sy Sr. believed education was key to breaking poverty, shaping SM Foundation’s early focus on scholarships and school infrastructure.
But after Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated Eastern Visayas in 2013, the Foundation recognized that education alone wasn’t enough—communities needed urgent and long-term support.
“We actively engage with affected communities through dialogues, ensuring that our efforts are aligned with their needs on the ground. This collaborative approach helps us strengthen the impact of our initiatives, and we follow up with an impact assessment to continuously improve our programs,” Sy said.
This also led to an expanded mission that now includes disaster relief, healthcare, livelihood training, and shelter programs alongside education.
To date, SM Foundation has built 110 school buildings, over 370 classrooms, and restored schools damaged by conflict and calamities, ensuring safe learning spaces for students.
Whether through rebuilding efforts, relief missions, or livelihood programs, SM Foundation remains a steadfast partner, supporting communities through challenges and recovery.
