PWD’s, and Elderly main focus in SM Cares’ Disaster Preparedness Forum

Last Tuesday July 2, 2019, SM  held one of the most essential series for Emergency Preparedness Forum for 2019, held this time at SM Marikina one of the earthquake and flood  stricken area due to its demographical  position.  If ever the so  called  ''The Big One 'will hit Manila and any other cities of our country Person with Disabilities ( PWD’s) and Senior Citizens should be ready and prepared to face this kind of calamity same with typhoons, volcano eruption  and other natural calamity that is normally being experience in any place in the world.

The forum is an initiative of SM Supermalls through SM Cares, and is a yearly event  aimed at supporting communities, especially the most vulnerable groups like the PWD;s and the elderly, to become more resilient and prepared in times of disasters. From what used to be held in a single venue SM Cares now bringsthe forum to five SM Malls nationwide which started on June 21 and will run until July 12, 2019.

The project is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 11: To make cities and human settlements inclusive safe, resilient and sustainable. It is projected that by 2050, 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities, making sustainability a critical priority. SM, together with government agencies and community members, are collectively engaged in pursuing objectives to make cities safer, more resource-efficient, resilient and inclusive.

Participating malls included SM City Clark (June 21), and now in SM City Marikina (July 2), The next leg will include SM City Dasmarinas (July 5), SM City Batangas  (July 9), and SM Center Muntinlupa  (July 12), all happening at the mall’s event centers from 10 AM to 12:00 noon.

DOST Undersec Dr Renato Solidum Jr.

Facilitating the forum are DOST undersecretary, Philvocs director and leading expert in geology and seismology, Dr. Renato Solidum Jr, joined  ABS- CBN’s rescue  analyst Dr. Ted Esguerra, who is an active member of numerous emergency preparedness and disaster response units around the globe. Both highly regarded experts will impart knowledge about natural disasters and how to properly respond to them.

“Our Senior Citizens in the community may face challenges during an emergency, especially if they are misinformed. It is our goal to eliminate most , if not all, anticipated obstacles.  And  we will start with proper orientation on how to properly respond to situations like earthquakes or flooding. Whatever the limitations. We need to be prepared said Danilo Chavez, SM Care’s Program Director for Senior Citizens.

The forum supports initiatives of ARISE Philippines of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) , It aims to create risk-resillient  societies by working with the private sector to incorporate DRR in the core of their business and stakeholder engagement. Hans Sy, SM Pirme Holdings executive committee chairman, is the only Filipino Global Board Member of the UNDRR ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Resillient Societies.

Dr Ted Esguerra one of the speaker and known personality on whatever calamity may hit the country teach the PWD to approach his wheel chair on his own.

“There are possibly a lot of unheard solutions that are appropriate for persons with disabilities. Now that we have our subject experts, Dr. Solidum and Dr. Esguerra, closer to our communities, I am sure that many things will be brought to clarity. And from there, we can better plan what’s best for us and our friends who may have physical or mental challenges” added Engr. Bien Mateo, SM Cares Program Director for Persons with Disabilities.

SM continues to promote a barrier-free and disability-inclusive environment to ensure that SM becomes a place for all, and where everyone is cared for. SM Cares advocacies include Environment Sustainability Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Senior Citizens and Overseas Filipino Workers .

As a responsible member of the community, SM Supermalls, through the CSR Programs of SM Cares , aims to serves as a catalyst for positive change in society. To know more about SM Cares, visit www.smcares.com.ph,  www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares or email smcares@smsupermalls.com.