In celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month, SM Cares once
again brought together communities, local government units, experts, and
volunteers for the Emergency Preparedness Forum 2025, reaffirming its enduring
commitment to making disaster preparedness inclusive and life-saving for
all—especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
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| Participants of the Emergency Preparedness Forum 2025 at SM North Edsa proudly display their emergency go-bags—equipping themselves with essential tools for safety and resilience in times of disaster. |
Since it began in 2015, this annual initiative has already trained more than 12,000 elderly and differently-abled participants across the country, equipping them with critical tools and knowledge to face emergencies with confidence.
A Nationwide Movement for
Inclusive Safety
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| An elderly participant at SM City Davao snaps a photo of the Emergency Preparedness Forum presentation to stay informed. |
This year’s forum gathered over 2,500 participants and reached five SM
malls across the country, with events held at SM City Davao (Mindanao leg, June
30), SM City Sorsogon (Bicol leg, July 2), SM City Legazpi (Bicol leg, July 3),
SM Seaside City Cebu (Visayas leg, July 7), and culminating at SM North EDSA
Skydome in Metro Manila on July 10.
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| Showing enthusiasm and readiness, elderly participants at SM City Sorsogon actively engage in the Emergency Preparedness Forum. |
The Emergency Preparedness Forum, attended by a diverse group of
community members—including senior citizens, persons with disabilities,
barangay officials, SM employees, and frontliners—served as a significant
learning hub tailored to the specific risks and hazards of each region, such as
typhoons, earthquakes, flooding, and volcanic eruptions.
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| Participants from SM City Legazpi, guided by an SM Cares volunteer, take part in an actual evacuation demo during the Emergency Preparedness Forum. |
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| Persons with disabilities join the Emergency Preparedness Forum at SM Seaside City Cebu, supported by a caring and inclusive community. |
From Awareness to Action: Practical Safety Education
Participants received easy-to-understand, interactive training on
essential preparedness topics such as proper response during earthquakes or
typhoons, building a personalized family disaster plan, assembling a basic
Go-Bag, and understanding early warning systems from Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical
and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
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| Dr. Ted Esguerra conducts a flood response demo during the Emergency Preparedness Forum, empowering the elderly community with practical survival skills. |
SM employee volunteers were on hand to assist elderly and people with
disabilities, ensuring no one was left behind in learning life-saving
techniques.
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| Dr. Ted Esguerra leads an earthquake survival demo, promoting inclusive safety for persons with disabilities at the Emergency Preparedness Forum. |
Expert Speakers, Real Solutions
Representatives from PHIVOLCS and PAGASA provided localized risk
information, helping participants better understand the science behind natural
hazards. Renowned disaster response expert Dr. Ted Esguerra led dynamic
sessions on survival thinking and practical readiness.
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| Experts from PHIVOLCS and PAGASA respond to participants’ questions during the Emergency Preparedness Forum, fostering community awareness and disaster readiness. |
“In any emergency, presence of
mind and preparation can mean the difference between life and death. Forums
like this empower the elderly and persons with disabilities by turning fear
into readiness. It’s not about age or ability—it’s about knowing what to do,
having the tools, and being mentally and emotionally prepared to act when it
counts,” said Dr. Esguerra.
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| The Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Wilderness Search and Rescue Philippines, Inc. join forces at the Emergency Preparedness Forum to demonstrate vital survival tips and coordinated response efforts for community safety. |
Each participant also received a free Emergency Go-Bag Starter Pack, which included a whistle, flashlight, hygiene items, and other essentials—a tangible takeaway to reinforce lessons learned.
A Shared Mission: Safety for
All
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| SM employee volunteers work together to prepare for the Emergency Preparedness Forum, demonstrating the power of teamwork in building a resilient community. |
Conducted in collaboration with local government units of Davao, Sorsogon, Legazpi, Cebu and Quezon City, and government agencies—including PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, the National Commission of Senior Citizens, the National Council on Disability Affairs, the Office of the Senior Citizens’ Affairs, the Persons with Disability Affairs Office, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office—and with the support of SM employees and volunteers, the Emergency Preparedness Forum exemplified a whole-of-community effort in disaster risk reduction.
“Preparedness is not just a
responsibility—it’s a right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless
of age or ability. Through this forum, we empower senior citizens and
differently-abled members of our community with the knowledge and tools they
need to stay safe,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, SM Cares Program Director for
Disability Affairs and Senior Citizens.
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| Persons with Down syndrome assist during the Emergency Preparedness Forum, highlighting the value of inclusive community participation. |
SM Cares’ Emergency Preparedness Forum supports 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.
Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You
SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers with 88 malls in the Philippines—marks four decades of growing with Filipinos and becoming a trusted space where diverse lifestyles and generations connect, while continuously evolving to redefine the malling experience through sustainability, innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban life with inclusive and meaningful experiences. (SM PRIME)
