Work starts on ‘SM Cares Village’ in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - A leading member of the global private sector partnership of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) is re-housing 1,000 families badly affected by Typhoon Yolanda in new communities that are designed to have soul and safety in equal measure.

In its website, the UNISDR said SM Prime Holdings Inc., the country’s largest mall operator, has commenced building its first “SM Cares Village” in Bogo, northern Cebu. Four other areas are earmarked for construction in Leyte and Samar.

The new houses, 200 in each village, are designed to withstand future typhoons of the same magnitude as Yolanda and strong earthquakes and are being built to higher standards than those specified in the current Philippine building code.

Each location is on land that has been cleared and certified safe by the government, and community facilities, such as a community center, basketball court and streetlights, are being provided.

The houses will be given for free to beneficiaries who will be identified by the local government subject to further screening by the SM Foundation.

“A lot is expected from the private sector in the rehabilitation of calamity-stricken areas in the Philippines,” said Hans Sy, president of SM Prime Holdings Inc., who is a member of UNISDR’s Private Sector Advisory Group.

Sy said, “We, from the private sector, are more than willing to help and are already doing our share in helping the communities. With the Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) experience, as well as the Bohol earthquake, more businesses are convinced to invest in disaster resilience.”

“The Philippines is prone to natural hazards such as severe weather conditions and earthquakes. The more businesses invest in resilience, the sooner we can get back to normal after disasters,” Sy added.