THE SM Foundation with sub outfit, SM CARES, always responds to calamity-stricken communities not only in Pampanga but also in other parts of the country like Zambales and Bataan which were also hardest hit by the magnitude 6.1 temblor which jolted these Central Luzon provinces last April 22, 2019.
The earthquake also caused significant damage in Porac, Pampanga and affected families particularly in San Marcelino, Zambales.
Thus, the Operation Tulong Express was put into action again by SM Foundation and SM Downtown Olongapo Central and relief packs were generously distributed to affected people including Aetas who expressed profuse thanks for the gesture.
Over at SM City Pampanga, SVP for Operations Engr. Bien C. Mateo and Engr. Junias Eusebio led a team of engineers and inspected SM malls (SF Downtown, SM Telabastagan, SM City Clark) to see the damage, if any, to the said malls.
Speaking of SF San Fernando Downtown, I had lunch thereat with Jean, Marge, Rich and Kath joining me sans Lana Eroba, the mall manager but with Rain Cervantes, the PR officer of SM malls.
Lana was on rest day but she nevertheless notified Jean and Margie to assist me.
It was the opening of Burgwings at the second floor of the mall and we had a generous serving of power salad, nacho salad, burgers and chicken wings.
It was there that Rain recounted the work done by Engr. Bien, Engr. Junias and their team of engineers and mall manager Aaron Montenegro on the SM mall buildings to check on their structural integrity after the April 22, 2019 earthquake. All the SM buildings were found to be structurally safe.
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The multi-storey building at the Mabalacat City College has remained standing after the 6.1 earthquake, contrary to earlier reports that it may be structurally unsound. Except for the hardiflex ceiling, which fell to the floor due to the impact of the temblor, it has sustained no major damage.
College President Carmelita P. Sotto and City Vice Mayoralty candidate, Mayor Boking made an ocular inspection of the building immediately after the earthquake and found it structurally sound and therefore capable of handling several classes.
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Some sure winners in the May 13 elections: the tandem of Halili- Morales, Nino 'RS' delos Reyes, councilor-candidate in Mabalacat City and councilor-candidates Joseph Alfie Bonifacio and Joseph “PG” Ponce in Angeles City.