SM's 'Operation Sendong wins award

MANILA, Philippines - SM City Cagayan de Oro won the 2012 Asia Community Support Award for its “Operation Sendong: People Helping People to Rebuild a City” campaign, the Foundation of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) announced last week.

Last December, typhoon “Sendong” hit Mindanao, causing mass devastation, leaving nearly 1,000 people dead and another 1,500 people injured.

In response, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. immediately donated P3 million to the local mayor for relief efforts and initiated their own response effort. SM Foundation and SM Supermarket prepared relief bags and contributed 10,000 bottles of water daily for seven days, benefitting 19,500 families. Rebuild packs filled with pails, mats, blankets, slippers, underwear, and diapers were given to 4,250 families.

SM City Cagayan de Oro initiated exhibits honoring those who were lost to help the community heal and help lift morale for those who lost everything. Fundraising projects were held to help typhoon victims, raising P578,120.42.

Finally, SM Prime Holdings partnered with Gawad Kalinga to rebuild 200 homes in Cagayan de Oro for the typhoon victims.

Professional recognition for this award was given to Debby Go, regional operations manager, SM Supermalls; Marissa Fernan, vice president, SM Prime Holdings; and Annie Garcia, president, SM Supermalls.

As the winner of the ICSC Foundation’s Asia Community Support Award, SM City Cagayan de Oro will receive a $5,000 donation to support their philanthropic cause.

SM North Edsa Mall will also be eligible for the ICSC Foundation’s 2013 Albert Sussman International Community Support Award, which honors the best community support program worldwide.

The ICSC Foundation’s Community Support Awards, established in 2006, is a worldwide awards program that honors corporate social responsibility and community outreach efforts of shopping centers for charitable initiatives that enhance the communities the retail real estate industry serve.