SM Group continues Yolanda rehabilitation efforts through partnership with PBSP

SM Investments Corporation (SMIC), through its social development arm SM Foundation, recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to provide 877 chairs and 19 sets of teacher’s tables and chairs to pre-selected public schools for the continued rehabilitation of Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) affected areas.

SM Group and PBSP furniture assistance fund to provide 877 chairs and 19 sets of teacher’s tables and chairs to four schools in Visayas. (from left): Rafael Lopa, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Executive Director; Jose Sio, SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) Chief Finance Officer; and Linda Atayde, SM Foundation Executive Director for Education

The four Yolanda-affected public schools are Batad Elementary School in Batad, Iloilo; Calape Elementary School in Daanbantayan, Cebu; Jugan Elementary School in Consolacion, Cebu; and, Agsungot Elementary School in Agsungot, Cebu.

“Education has always been close to Mr. Henry Sy’s heart and we are happy to be part of this project,” said SMIC Chief Finance Officer Jose Sio.

Executive Director Rafael Lopa of PBSP on the other hand said, “It is our desire to find more ways to collaborate with SM, not only through assistance funds such as these, but also through the Group’s many existing CSR projects. We want other companies to rally around SM Foundation’s programs and see how we can scale up the work and the impact that SM is doing in different parts of the country.”

In 2014, SM Foundation’s Yolanda Rehabilitation Program granted 100 college scholarships; donated 8 school buildings with 48 classrooms; rebuilt the Tacloban City Hospital; rolled-out 20 medical missions benefitting 10,354 patients; reconstructed 2 community health centers; conducted 10 farmers trainings benefitting 1,682 farmers in 38 municipalities; and started the construction of 1,000 disaster-resilient houses for those whose homes were totally damaged by Yolanda.

Since 1983, SM Foundation has been committed in uplifting lives and creating sustainable growth in communities. It focuses on creating impact in the areas of education through scholarships and school buildings, health through medical missions and reconstruction of health centers, food security through livelihood trainings for small-scale farmers, care for persons with special needs and environmental protection and conservation.

The PBSP is a corporate-led, non-profit organization that brings together businesses towards the common goal of reducing poverty in the Philippines.