SM helps typhoon victims in Laguna

MANILA, Philippines - As part of its Operation Tulong Express relief efforts, SM Foundation has started distributing thousands of packs of relief goods in Laguna, one of the provinces most devastated by Tropical Storm Maring. 

SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy, together with Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito and Biñan Mayor Len-Len Alonte, distributed 3,000 relief packs at the Biñan Town Plaza last Aug. 21. 

On the same day, SM City Calamba gave out relief packs to 289 families in Barangays San Cristobal, Parian and Sampiruhan.

In Santa Rosa, 4,000 relief packs will be distributed to residents of Barangay Southville by SM City Santa Rosa together with Mayor Arlene Arcillas. 

Through its SM Foundation, SM’s Operation Tulong Express will be donating more than 30,000 kalinga relief packages consisting of bottled water, cup noodles, ready to eat viands, and crackers to flood victims in Marilao, Muntinlupa, and San Mateo.

Ten thousand of these packs have been donated by SM Supermalls. 

Operation Tulong Express is part of SM’s public service to customers during times of calamity. SM opened its malls to serve as temporary shelter to those stranded in the metropolis and its surrounding provinces last Aug. 20.   

The malls served as a temporary garage to about 1,300 cars, which were allowed to park for free. 

The malls also served as temporary homes to about 100 persons who decided to stay in the malls overnight and to about 500 persons who stayed in the different command posts to wait for the floods to subside. Snacks and coffee were served to keep them warm on a chilly and gloomy day.