EMERGENCIES will always surprise everyone especially those who are caught unprepared.
The most vulnerable sector that need priority assistance are those persons with disability and the elderly, thus in celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month, SM Cares recently launched this year’s Emergency Preparedness Forum for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) held at SM City Bacolod.
Bacolod was part of the eight venues where these kind of fora was held purposely to touch base with these sectors during the celebration of the National Disaster Resilience Month.
SM Supermalls regional manager Jorge Anthony Jardiolin, SM City-Bacolod manager Julia Javellana, SM Supermalls SVP Bien Mateo, Bacolod Councilor Celia Matea Flor, UP Resilience Institute Executive Director and disaster scientist Mahar Lagmay, Phivocls science research specialist II Raymund Patrick Maximo, and Disaster Management Specialist Ted Esguerra were among those who led the celebration.
University of the Philippines Resilience Institute Executive Director Mahar Lagmay shared their insights and observations in a panel discussion on understanding natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions, and how to prepare for such situations.
The participants in the forum were provided an SM Emergency Pack, which consists of an emergency string bag, a 4mm rope, an emergency blanket, a whistle with lanyard, a mini-flashlight, and a survival tool card.
Earthquake and flood simulators were also prepared by PAGASA and DOST to add to the participants’ learning experience.
“In preparing for emergencies and calamities, SM Cares believes that no one should be left behind. That is what inspires us to continue mounting this Emergency Preparedness Forum,” said Mateo.
“Our goal is to empower our senior citizens and PWDs with the essential survival skills and know-how so that they will be ready for any circumstance," he said.
Since the forum first began in 2015, SM Cares has been able to provide training to 7,417 senior citizens and PWDs across the country since the forum’s conception, and was awarded Gold in 2020 and Silver in 2023 at the Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ annual Anvil Awards.
This initiative shows SM Cares’ support for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly “SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being”, “SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities”, and “SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.”