SM City Mindpro Strengthens Community Preparedness in Nationwide Earthquake Drill

 

SM City Mindpro joined the 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on September 11 at 4:00 PM, reinforcing its commitment to safety and disaster preparedness.

 

At the sound of the alarm, employees, tenants, and mall-goers carried out the “duck, cover, and hold” procedure and calmly evacuated to designated safe zone located at Campaner Street. The drill was conducted smoothly, demonstrating the mall community’s cooperation and readiness in case of an actual emergency.

 

For shoppers, the exercise was both a learning experience and a reassurance. “It’s comforting to know that SM prioritizes safety, not just business,” said one customer who joined the drill. Tenants and mall staff also noted how the activity gave them confidence to respond properly in real-life situations.

 

SM City Mindpro’s participation forms part of SM Supermalls’ Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) program, which ensures that malls remain safe spaces for communities during natural disasters.

 

“By taking part in this nationwide drill, we are equipping our employees, tenants, and customers with life-saving knowledge while strengthening a culture of preparedness,” said Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez, SM City Mindpro Mall Manager.

 

With earthquake preparedness being crucial in disaster-prone areas like the Philippines, SM City Mindpro’s participation reflects its role as a partner in resilience-building and community safety.

Women on Fire 2025: Empowering Women, Building Resilient Communities

In recognition of National Women’s Month and Fire Prevention Month, SM Cares launched Women on Fire, a celebration of the remarkable leadership, strength, courage, and resilience of women in fire prevention, disaster response, and community safety. Through collaboration with key government agencies and private organizations, Women on Fire served as a platform for education, awareness, and empowerment, reaching over 25,000 participants across all initiatives.

The iconic SM Mall of Asia Globe lights up in purple to celebrate gender equality, together with SM Cares, United Nations Philippines, and the Philippine Commission for Women.

SM Cares, in partnership with the United Nations Philippines and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), kicked off Women’s Month on February 28 with the Purple Illumination Ceremony, lighting up the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Globe and mall façades nationwide. As a globally recognized symbol of justice, dignity, and women’s rights, the color purple marked the start of National Women’s Month in the Philippines, reinforcing SM’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment.

Strengthening Preparedness and Safety

A key highlight of the campaign was Women on Fire, which recognized female firefighters, emergency responders, and community leaders for their role in safety, fire prevention and disaster preparedness. On March 4, 2025, SM Cares and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted the 4th SM & BFP Nationwide Simultaneous Fire Drill across SM malls nationwide, with SM Mall of Asia as the main venue. Hundreds of registered participants took part in the Fire Square Roadshow, engaging in fire safety demonstrations and interactive training sessions to strengthen preparedness.

"Women are at the forefront of resilience. Through ‘Women on Fire,’ we celebrate and honor their contributions and reaffirm our commitment to gender-inclusive safety efforts," said Atty. Pearly Joan Turley, SM Supermalls Senior Assistant Vice President of the Corporate Compliance Group and SM Cares Program Director for Women.

Women in Resilience: Empowering Women as Leaders in Disaster Preparedness and Community Building

On March 5, 2025, SM Cares and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) led the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration Kickoff at SM Mall of Asia. The event, centered on the theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas”, aimed to empower women across various sectors, particularly those from marginalized communities. Its activities included gender equality discussions on women’s rights and leadership, a trade fair showcasing products from women-led MSMEs and free services such as medical check-ups, legal consultations and livelihood support.

Meanwhile, the Women LEAD Forum, co-hosted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and SM Cares, emphasized the crucial role of women at the barangay and grassroots levels in disaster resilience. The discussion underscored how women-led initiatives strengthen community preparedness and serve as models for national climate and disaster resilience programs.

SM Cares Champions Safe and Inclusive Spaces with Safe Spaces Act Orientation

SM Supermalls holds the 3rd Nationwide Orientation on the Safe Spaces Act with in the photo: Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Officer in Charge Executive Director Nharleen Santos-Millar, SM Supermalls Senior Assistant Vice President (VP) of the Corporate Compliance Group (CCG) Atty. Pearly Joan Turley, PCW former Executive Director Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, SM Supermalls VP for CCG Liza Silerio, together with SM Supermalls security and janitorial personnel.

To reinforce its commitment to creating safe environments, SM Cares held the 3rd Nationwide Safe Spaces Act Orientation on March 4 and 6, engaging more than 12,000 participants across 86 SM malls nationwide. This initiative educated students, employees, tenants, and security personnel on the importance of maintaining harassment-free spaces in malls and workplaces.

For more updates on SM Cares' initiatives, visit the official website or follow @SMCaresOfficial on social media. (SM Cares)