SM Foundation sends aid amidst calamity in Metro Manila, nearby provinces

Employee-volunteers from SM City Marikina lead the distribution of Kalinga Packs in Kalumpang Elementary School, Marikina City.

As Metro Manila grapples with severe flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Carina and the Southeast Monsoon, SM Foundation has activated its Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) to aid affected communities.

The capital region was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday, with several areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces submerged due to overflowing rivers and dam releases.

Employee-volunteers from SM Supermalls and SM Market prepare Kalinga Packs to be distributed in hard-hit areas in Quezon City.

SM Supermalls employee-volunteers prepare the Kalinga Packs for distribution.

Responding to this, SM Foundation has begun distributing over 4,000 Kalinga Packs containing essential goods to hard-hit areas in Rizal province, including Angono, Masinag, San Mateo, and Taytay, as well as in Manila City and Quezon City.

The SM Group is set to expand its OPTE activation to other areas in need. Additionally, SM Supermalls have set up OPTE booths for community participation and are providing free overnight parking, WiFi, phone charging stations, and help desks in affected locations.