Friday, August 15, 2008 SM awarded Disabled Friendly Establishment of the year
SM Supermalls bagged eight awards in the recently held Apolinario Mabini Awarding Ceremonies last Aug. 6 in the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace.
SM dominated the awarding ceremonies when 7 malls namely SM Mall of Asia, SM City Marilao, SM City Clark, SM City Baguio, SM City Taytay, SM San Lazaro, and SM City Lipa won the most handicapped friendly establishment category.
These SM malls were commended by the committee for the way they have tried to effect a change in attitude towards the disabled to show that people in general should not be afraid or indifferent in extending kindness and concern towards person with disability (PWDs).
Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. has also recognized the malls’ promotion of a barrier-free, non-handicapping environment with the continuous improvement of their facilities.
A special award for “Corporate Excellence Service” for PWDs was also handed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the SM Supermalls Committee on Disability Affairs headed by its Chairman Engr. Bien C. Mateo, for its initiatives in taking onto a new level the promotion of a barrier-free environment in all its SM Supermalls by providing tangible care for PWDs.
In Cebu, the Organization of Rehabilitation Agencies (ORA) also gave SM City Cebu recognition for making the mall facilities “People Friendly.” ORA also held a seminar to SM City Cebu employees, security personnel, maintenance, affiliates and agencies on how to handle and treat persons with disabilities.
