MANILA, Philippines - As the SM Group of Companies through the SM Foundation continues to fulfill its commitment to care for the elderly, three new Centers for the Elderly were opened one after another: in Barangay Holy Spirit in Commonwealth, Quezon City; in Angeles, Pampanga; and in Rosales, Pangasinan.
In August, the Foundation completed an unfinished and abandoned Center in Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City. Jose Domingo, chairman of the Greater Don Antonio Senior Citizens Association Inc. (GDASCA) appealed to Connie Angeles, the Foundation’s executive director for health & medical services to finish the Center for use of the senior citizens in the area. With funds provided by SM Prime Holdings, the Foundation not only finished the building but also had it refurbished, fitted with toilets and other equipment, and landscaped. The Center was formally turned over to Domingo, Lennie Rendon, president of the GDASCA, and Dr. Rogelio Belleza by Angeles with former Senator Juan Flavier as guest of honor.
In Pampanga, the Senior Citizen Center in Brgy. Pampang, Angeles City was inaugurated last September 24 with representatives of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan. Present were Heidi Patio of the Community Social Welfare Development Office, BGen Joel Marayag of the AFP, Angeles, and Flavier. According to Erasmo Santos, the Center is used by the senior citizens during their monthly meetings and other activities that keep them busy in spite of their advanced age.
The newest Center for the Elderly was inaugurated in Rosales, Pangasinan early this month. The place, which has been brightened up with colorful murals, is well-ventilated, fitted with toilets and kitchen sinks, and equipped with TV sets, DVDs, electric fans, refrigerators, living and dining room sets.
The establishment of Felicidad Sy Wellness Centers began in 2002. The SM Foundation provides an annual budget for the Center’s maintenance and upkeep, each costing between P50,000 and P100,000. To monitor the health of the elderly, the SM mobile clinic regularly visits the Centers to give free medical and dental consultations; provide vitamins, medicines, and supplements; and conduct X-rays, CBCs, urinalysis, and other laboratory tests. The Centers are located not only in Metro Manila but in the provinces as well — Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Baguio, and Iloilo.