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Looking into the Heart of SM Malls
by Mhike ·
Organizers of the country’s successful launch of the Unity March to mark the “CRPD’s Entry into Force” last May 12, couldn’t have picked out a better venue. The SM Mall of Asia (MOA) was the perfect foil for the powerful Unity March of over 1, 200 leaders with disabilities side by side with GO-NGO partners here and abroad, to support the government’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) as a leveraging tool for all Filipinos with disabilities.
The SM Mall Chain, led by SM Prime Holdings Incorporated President Hans T. Sy himself, certainly shone that day, with its deep culture of service and understanding for PWDs which evolved from sheer hard work and willpower.
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The chain of SM Malls was said to have gone over and above mere lip service in considering the needs of Filipinos with disabilities. Spurred by the copy of the SM Prime Holdings Annual Report-5oth Anniversary issue featuring “Enabling the Disabled at SM Malls”, NCDA Chairperson Rosie Lovely T. Romulo promptly instructed the article’s publication on the Council’s website.
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Last year, SCMC President Annie S. Garcia shared their experience with delegates from other Asia Pacific countries, as part of the country’s Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE) program, cited by the UN-ESCAP as among the Region’s best practices. This year, SCMC will be an A. Mabini Awardee for two categories: “Disabled-friendly” establishment and special award for the SM SUPERMALLS’ ACCESSIBILITY & SAFETY COMMITTEE’s outstanding achievements.
