SM Hotels expands inclusive hospitality with PDL training program

Insider Spotlight

  • Park Inn by Radisson North Edsa launched a food and beverage training program for Persons Deprived of Liberty in partnership with the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory
  • The initiative aims to equip PDLs with practical hospitality skills to improve their employment prospects after release
  • The program brings together SM Hotels, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Quezon City government, and Radisson Hotel Group

SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) is strengthening its inclusive hospitality efforts through a skills development initiative for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), with its flagship northern Metro Manila property launching a food and beverage training program designed to support reintegration into the workforce.

Park Inn by Radisson North Edsa recently kicked off its Basic Food and Beverage Operations Training Program in partnership with the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory. 

The initiative seeks to provide participants with practical hospitality skills that can improve their employability and support their transition back into society after serving their sentences.

Why it matters

The program reflects the growing role of private sector companies in supporting rehabilitation and workforce development through partnerships with government institutions. 

Hospitality remains one of the country's largest employment generators, creating opportunities for skills-based training that can benefit underserved communities.

MOU signing led by (from left) Janette Oviedo, Jail Warden Maria Lourdes Pacion, JC SUPT Baby Noel Montalvo, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, general manager Reycie Gutierrez, Fernando Manalang and Valerie Bernardino. | Contributed photo

The launch ceremony at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory brought together representatives from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Quezon City local government, SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation, and Radisson Hotel Group. 

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte delivered an inspirational message highlighting the importance of education and livelihood opportunities in giving individuals a second chance. The event also featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting attended by senior officials from the participating organizations.

What they're saying

"At SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation, we believe that hospitality has the power to uplift lives beyond the walls of our hotels," SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. executive vice president Peggy Angeles said in a press statement.

"Through initiatives like this, we are investing in people by providing them with valuable skills, renewed confidence, and opportunities for a fresh start. This reflects our commitment to creating meaningful and lasting impact in the communities we serve," Angeles added.

Park Inn by Radisson North Edsa general manager Reycie Gutierrez said, "The basic food and beverage operations training program underscores Park Inn by Radisson North Edsa's broader vision of responsible hospitality, which not only delivers exceptional guest experiences but also empowers individuals, strengthens the social sector, and creates opportunities for a more inclusive future."

The bigger picture

SMHCC, the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings, operates 10 hotel properties with more than 2,600 rooms and over 42,000 square meters of convention space nationwide. 

The company said the program aligns with its broader commitment to community development and responsible hospitality while advancing inclusive growth through skills training and employment readiness. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma

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