Empowering Over 12,000 Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens to Build Resilient Communities
In celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month, SM Cares once again brought together communities, local government units, experts, and volunteers for the Emergency Preparedness Forum 2025, reaffirming its enduring commitment to making disaster preparedness inclusive and life-saving for all—especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Since it began in 2015, this annual initiative has already trained more than 12,000 elderly and differently-abled participants across the country, equipping them with critical tools and knowledge to face emergencies with confidence.
A Nationwide Movement for Inclusive Safety
This year’s forum gathered over 2,500 participants and reached five SM malls across the country, with events held at SM City Davao (Mindanao leg, June 30), SM City Sorsogon (Bicol leg, July 2), SM City Legazpi (Bicol leg, July 3), SM Seaside City Cebu (Visayas leg, July 7), and culminating at SM North EDSA Skydome in Metro Manila on July 10.
The Emergency Preparedness Forum, attended by a diverse group of community members—including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, barangay officials, SM employees, and frontliners—served as a significant learning hub tailored to the specific risks and hazards of each region, such as typhoons, earthquakes, flooding, and volcanic eruptions.
From Awareness to Action: Practical Safety Education
Participants received easy-to-understand, interactive training on essential preparedness topics such as proper response during earthquakes or typhoons, building a personalized family disaster plan, assembling a basic Go-Bag, and understanding early warning systems from Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
SM employee volunteers were on hand to assist elderly and people with disabilities, ensuring no one was left behind in learning life-saving techniques.
Expert Speakers, Real Solutions
Representatives from PHIVOLCS and PAGASA provided localized risk information, helping participants better understand the science behind natural hazards. Renowned disaster response expert Dr. Ted Esguerra led dynamic sessions on survival thinking and practical readiness.
“In any emergency, presence of mind and preparation can mean the difference between life and death. Forums like this empower the elderly and persons with disabilities by turning fear into readiness. It’s not about age or ability—it’s about knowing what to do, having the tools, and being mentally and emotionally prepared to act when it counts,” said Dr. Esguerra.
Each participant also received a free Emergency Go-Bag Starter Pack, which included a whistle, flashlight, hygiene items, and other essentials—a tangible takeaway to reinforce lessons learned.
A Shared Mission: Safety for All
Conducted in collaboration with local government units of Davao, Sorsogon, Legazpi, Cebu and Quezon City, and government agencies—including PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, the National Commission of Senior Citizens, the National Council on Disability Affairs, the Office of the Senior Citizens’ Affairs, the Persons with Disability Affairs Office, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office—and with the support of SM employees and volunteers, the Emergency Preparedness Forum exemplified a whole-of-community effort in disaster risk reduction.
“Preparedness is not just a responsibility—it’s a right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability. Through this forum, we empower senior citizens and differently-abled members of our community with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, SM Cares Program Director for Disability Affairs and Senior Citizens.
SM Cares’ Emergency Preparedness Forum supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You
SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers with 88 malls in the Philippines—marks four decades of growing with Filipinos and becoming a trusted space where diverse lifestyles and generations connect, while continuously evolving to redefine the malling experience through sustainability, innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban life with inclusive and meaningful experiences.
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