SM Foundation and its partner, Philippine Business for Social Progress, turned over a newly refurbished Smokey Mountain Health Center and Lying-In Clinic on February 13.

The Foundation relocated its Lying-in Clinic from the second floor to the first level to make the area more accessible to pregnant patients and pass the accreditation of PhilHealth. The ground level also houses the Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center for the Elderly, Reception and waiting areas, Consultation room, Midwives’ room, Dental room and TB-DOTS Clinic. The second floor, which can also be accessed thru another entrance, holds the Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center for Children, Pharmacy, Breastfeeding room, Consultation rooms, and Nurses’ room.

The improved health facility serves 110,998 individuals from Barangays 128, 129, 130 and 133 Smokey Mountain Compound, Permanent Housing, Balut, Tondo. According to Dr. Evelyn Rimando, who has served in the health office since it opened in 2010, they usually treat respiratory infections, hypertension and diabetes, and deliver at least 30 babies per month.

“Ang SM ay hindi lang pang-shopping kundi pang helping pa,” said Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Mayor of the City of Manila, during the ceremony. He added, “Sa ngalan ng mamamayan ng Maynila, nagpapasalamat kami sa pamilyang Sy. Sinisikap natin ayusin ang buong lungsod at ako ay suwerte na maraming tumutulong sa atin tulad ng SM. Ang SM Foundation

1. Newly renovated room for mothers & newborns. | 2. Mayor Joseph Estrada gives a token of appreciation to Ms. Connie Angeles. | 3. A family with health care professionals

from Smokey Mountain Health Center.

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Relocating Smokey Mountain Health Center’s Lying-in Clinic

Upgrading Health Centers for PhilHealth Accreditation

ay laging handang tumulong, tulad ng pagtulong nila sa atin na ayusin ang Earnshaw Health Center noong 2014.” While touring the improved facilities, he also quoted the Bible, saying that SM is blessed because “whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto Me.”

Wilma C. Baldezo, pregnant with her third child, said she could not wait to give birth in the new facility. In labor during the turnover, she was the first mother to deliver a baby at the improved lying-in clinic. “Para akong nasa first-class private hospital,” she said with much excitement.

The country’s first Barangay Behavioral Health Unit (BBHU) was built by SM Foundation in Lahug Wellness Center, Cebu City. The health facility renovated by the Foundation also has a new laboratory, birthing center and TB-DOTS room to make the complex qualified for PhilHealth accreditation.

In addition, the health facility has a Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center for the Elderly and Wellness Center for Children, Dental clinic, Nurses’

1. Lahug Wellness Center reception and Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center for the Elderly | 2. Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center for Children and Barangay Behavioral Health Unit. |

3. Lahug’s local government officials and SM executives welcome Baby Precious Samantha.

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Country’s first Barangay Behavioral Health Unit at Lahug Wellness Center

have been advocating for comprehensive health services that includes mental health for years. With a BBHU, they would be able to address the very roots of problems in society like drugs, depression, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, family and relational conflicts, and the like.

The councilor added that she is grateful for the private-public partnership between their local government and SM, which gives their underprivileged constituents access to quality health care and helps their center prepare for Philhealth accreditation, to also decongest their public hospitals. She hopes that SM’s model of social conscience and service inspires not just other big corporations but also civic organizations and individuals.

Connie Angeles, SM Foundation Executive Director for Health and Medical Programs, assured the citizens of Lahug that the foundation will take care of the center’s upkeep and maintenance. The crowd gushed with surprise when she said that the company will come back to repaint and do other works as needed, and they cheered upon hearing the good news.

At the end of the program, everybody welcomed Precious Samantha, daughter of Noemi Edradan, the first baby delivered at the improved birthing center. Comparing it to the facility where she first gave birth in 2015, Noemi exclaimed that the new health center is much bigger and cleaner.

Lahug Wellness Center is SM Foundation’s 132nd Wellness Center and 36th improved community center nationwide. The health center serves 39,573 families in 48 sitios, the biggest among the barangays in the City of Cebu.

room and Pharmacy. The foundation has also provided furniture, laboratory equipment and initial supply of medicines.

Lahug Wellness Center will be a ‘one-stop shop’, multi-service, multifunctional facility housing the country’s first ever established BBHU pursuant to the ordinance sponsored by Deputy Mayor for Health Hon. Mary Ann delos Santos. She said it is a dream come true for their team to finally have a BBHU, as they

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Taking care of employees and the community

Over a thousand patients composed of SM employees, together with their immediate families, and residents of nearby communities received free consultation, diagnostic tests, acupuncture, minor surgical and dental procedures and full dosage of medication during the medical mission of SM Foundation in SM City Fairview on February 22.

The diagnostic tests included blood chemistry (cholesterol, glucose and uric acid), x-ray, ultrasound, pap smear, ENT and visual exams. Minor surgeries done included cautery and excision of cysts.

To ease the fear of the children, staff were going around distributing sweet treats. Adding to their delight and surprise, each kid was given the toy of his or her choice after going through the necessary consultation and tests. While waiting, the patients also learned from different experts who gave lectures on breast care, diabetes and more.

Marites Torselino heard about the medical mission from her neighbor. She took the opportunity to have her kids checked – her son John Mark had been suffering from cough and colds for three days while her infant daughter Marjorie had on-and-off fever for the past week. The young mother was ecstatic to receive the full dosage of medication as she did not have to worry about any costs. Especially thankful for the antibiotics for her daughter’s diagnosed urinary tract infection, she confessed, “Sa hirap ng buhay, hindi ko talaga nadala ang aking mga anak sa doctor. Buti na lang at nalaman ko ang tungkol dito sa inyong medical mission.”

Marjie Pia, an SM employee who has been part of the emergency response team for five years, tried acupuncture for the first time. She was pricked with needles on her left upper arm and right ankle. She was amazed at how she instantly felt lighter and admitted her body aches were relieved. She had undergone abdominal ultrasound as well and was glad that the results did not show any worrisome condition.

The day also marked the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the International College of Surgeons (ICS), International

Academy of Medical Specialists, Inc. (IAMS) and SM Foundation. Signatories of the MOA include SM Foundation senior project manager of Health and Medical Programs Dr. Ma. Bless Bertos; SM Foundation trustee Ramon Gil Macapagal; SM Foundation executive director of Health and Medical Programs Connie Angeles; Dr. Gil Vicente of International College of Surgeons; Dr. Federico Malubay, Chairman of medical outreach programs of International Academy of Medical Specialists Inc.; and Dr. Frederick Francisco of Infectious Integrative medicine of IAMS.

From January to February 2018, SM Foundation has provided ten medical missions, serving a total of 9,564 patients nationwide.

1. (From Left) Ultrasound, minor surgery, ENT exam for employees & other beneficiaries. | 2. Giveaway toys for kids. | 3. MOA signing of SM Foundation with ICS and IAMS.

Answering the needs of left-handed students

Teacher Melanie and student Dan are both left-handed.

Kudos to the new graduates of KSK in Lanao del Norte!

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SM Prime and SM Appliance, through the efforts of SM Foundation, turned over a new two-storey four-classroom building to Mayamot Elementary School in Antipolo City on January 31. The school building, fully furnished with 200 student armchairs (including 20 left-handed armchairs), 4 teacher’s desk sets, 8 blackboards, 16 wall fans, 4 wall clocks and 4 washrooms with water closets, will be used by sixth grade students.

It is the first time the school will have left-handed armchairs and a washroom in each classroom. SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Linda Atayde said the washroom in each classroom will provide better personal hygiene for the students. Twelve-year old Taimalica Dumalig Ripon excitedly said she now does not have to wait long in a queue to be able to relieve herself in the toilet.

Dan Navarro, one of the left-handed sixth grade students, was so happy that he will no longer be uncomfortable in class. He said, "Hindi na ako

Over 200 Christians and Muslims who fled from Ground Zero of Marawi City during the five-month gunfight between government troops and rebel groups in Mindanao recently graduated from SM Foundation’s Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farmers’ Training Program.

The graduates from KSK Batch 155 learned modern and effective farming methods from the foundation’s partner, Harbest Agribusiness. The training was held in Brgy. Nangka, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, where they planted lettuce, bell pepper, okra, eggplants, honey dew melon, watermelon and other crops that their families could eat and which they could sell in the markets so they would have a stable source of income.

SM Foundation Executive Director for Livelihood and Outreach Cristie Angeles encouraged the trainees to be mentors and propagators of

mahihirapan at mangangawit. Ako ngayon ay mas comfortable at mas makaka-concentrate.” His Filipino teacher, Melanie Agoceros, herself left-handed, was excited for the students, saying, "First time kami magkaroon ng left-handed armchair. Lumaki din akong nahihirapan na nakatalikod pag nagsusulat. Hindi na sila mahihirapan ngayon."

The event’s special guest, Congresswoman Chiqui-Roa Puno, who is also left-handed, shared that she never got to use any left-handed armchair and never had their own washroom in each classroom when she was studying. In her speech, she acknowledged, “Ang SM ay nagbibigay sa atin ng progreso. Nagkakaisa tayo sa ating adhikain na paunlarin ang ating distrito”. She expressed gratitude for what they have received and reminded the children to likewise share their blessings, saying, “Ngayong araw na ito, naiparamdam na maraming nagmamahal sa atin. Remember this day and then give back to the community, too.”

Dr. Rommel Bautista, Schools Division Superintendent, appreciated SM’s response to their needs, as he said, "Kayong mga taga-SM ay mga buhay na anghel. Salamat sa pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga silid-aralan. Huwag sana kayo magsawang tumulong.”

Aligned to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to provide access to quality education, SM Foundation develops fully furnished school buildings. This is the 87th school building, with a total of 276 classrooms, of the Foundation since it started its School Building Program in 2005.

KSK brings Christians and Muslims together

balik-farming in Marawi City so that their recovery process will be shortened.

From January to February, eight batches of new KSK training were launched, with over 1,000 participants, in rural (Pampanga, Bataan, Butuan, Sta. Rosa & Marawi) and urban (Valenzuela, Paranaque & Manila) communities.

SMFoundationIncWe’Re on SoCiAL MediA! FoLLoW US AT: @SMFoundationInc smfoundationinc

SM Corporate Offices Building B, J.W. Diokno Boulevard, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City 1300, Philippines

Email: smfiadmin@sm-foundation.orgTel. No. (632) 857-0100 loc. 1678

1 . Blankets & mosquito nets for the evacuees. | 2 & 3. SM Cares Bears of Joy for the children at the evacuation center.

operation Tulong express goes back to Marawi

A total of 6,800 pieces of blankets and mosquito nets worth Php 1 million pesos were turned-over by The SM Store through SM Foundation’s Project Operation: Tulong Express to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

SM Mindanao’s German Bacsid, Jr. handed the boxes of blankets and mosquito nets to DSWD Region 10 Director Nestor Ramos and to some of its beneficiaries. An on-site distribution by SM Foundation followed thereafter at Lanao Del Norte, Iligan and Marawi City.

Badri Monte, an evacuee at Landa Madrasah Evacuation Center, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, expressed joy in seeing the SM team again. He said, “Nakita ninyo naman itong mga kasamahan namin na napakasaya nila.

Dalawang beses kayo nagbigay, dalawang beses din kami sumasaya. Araw-araw noon, sa una ninyong pag-deliver, talagang ipinagdasal namin kayo, SM Foundation, na sana ay hindi nila kami malimutan. Totoo pala, hindi ninyo kami nalimutan.” SM Foundation has previously given 2,200 mosquito nets and 1,800 personal hygiene kits in September 2017.

Aside from the blankets and mosquito nets, 700 pieces of SM Cares Bears of Joy were distributed to the children in the evacuation centers.

For the first two months of the year, SM Foundation has distributed 3,424 Kalinga packs to communities in five municipalities affected by fire and volcanic eruption.

SM Foundation and its division, SM Cares, serve as the heart of SM. The group is working for a better tomorrow for the communities it serves through its programs in education, health and wellness, farmers’ training and environmental sustainability. The Foundation’s programs are aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.