FOUR decades in, the SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), through various socio-civic endeavors, has put front its founding principle of people helping people.
With a strong belief in the power of education, SMFI has been actively collaborating with the Department of Education and other organizations to support youth throughout the country. Since donating its first building in 2002, SMFI has successfully built over 100 school buildings.
Aside from its College Scholarship Program, which supported over 3,000 students, SMFI also began accepting students pursuing technical-vocational courses in 2007 and has supported over 4,000 scholars to date.
SMFI’s Health and Wellness Program established Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Centers and upgraded local health centers throughout the country. The program is also being carried out through various medical missions, which were pioneered in 2001. Since then, over 1.2 million patients have been served. It also refurbished over 180 health facilities.
SMFI also provides aid to disaster- and calamity-stricken communities through Operation Tulong Express, such as when Typhoon “Yolanda” hit in 2013.
Mr. Sy Sr. initiated the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP) in 2007 to ensure food sufficiency among marginalized farmers by equipping them with modern farming techniques and entrepreneurial skills.
Over 28,000 farmers graduated from the training program, helping them become agri-entrepreneurs. SMFI has provided market opportunities as well through SM Supermalls.
Its affiliate organization joins SMFI in undertaking philanthropic activities. One is the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation, which focuses on promoting Catholic living and spiritual development in the community. It supports the renovation of places of worship and sponsors mass weddings for SM employees. Another is the Henry Sy Foundation, which recognizes the role of higher education in development. It has provided support for academic infrastructure in various learning institutions, including the UP Medical Alumni Foundation for the construction of the Medical Arts Building at the Philippine General Hospital compound. It has also partnered with the UST Research and Endowment Foundation for the construction of the Henry Sy Hall.
The SMFI and its affiliate foundations will continue to become agents of social good until the Philippines becomes a place where everyone has the opportunity for self-improvement and the environment is sustained for future generations./PN
