SM Group donates P100M for Yolanda victims

An SM Foundation “Operation Tulong” truck carrying relief goods fordisaster survivors arrives in Cebu.

As quickly as Super typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the Visayas region, several of the country’s biggest companies also quickly joined relief efforts in helping the tens of thousands of survivors in what could be the worst natural calamity to hit the Philippines.

The SM group pledged P100 million in calamity funds for beneficiaries in Tacloban and Ormoc cities, and Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz and provinces in the Bicol region.

The fund will focus on five different types of assistance: rebuilding homes, community centers, schools, and churches, and providing immediate relief through food and supplies.

SM Foundation is taking the lead in the relief effort with the nationwide reach of SM Cares of the mall group, SM Savemore, and BDO Foundation. Each group has a different expertise in the community support program, and will be working with community groups to expand the efforts and widen the reach of the relief operation.

A resident of Cebuclasping a relief pack she received  from SM Foundation’s “Operation Tulong”.

In addition to these efforts, “Operation Tulong Express” will be open for the donation of relief goods in SM malls, and an account in both BDO and Chinabank will be open to accept cash donations.
“The fund will focus on five different types of assistance: rebuilding homes, community centers, schools and churches, and providing immediate relief through food and supplies,” SM said in a statement.