SM Foundation’s focus on education gets Anvil

SM Foundation, the socio-development organization of the SM Group of Companies, was awarded the Silver Anvil Award by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines during its 52nd Anvil Awards Night. 

SM Foundation focuses on social inclusion through nurturing and caring for underserved communities in areas where SM businesses are located.

The Foundation was established in 1983 by Henry Sy Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy with the philosophy of People Helping People.

In creating opportunities for a better future, Mr. Sy believes that education is “the best defense against poverty.”

One of the concerns in the diminishing quality of public education is the shortage of classrooms available for the growing number of elementary and secondary school students. In school year 2016-2017, DepEd reported that 24 million students enrolled in elementary and secondary public schools.

Thus, aware of the acute shortage of classrooms facing millions of elementary and secondary school students, SM Foundation launched its School Building Program in 2002, becoming a constant and active corporate partner of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program.

The program primarily aims to reduce the gap between private and public school education specifically in the area of classroom facilities by building sustainable schools that come with fully-furnished classrooms, while repairing, renovating or rehabilitating existing classrooms that remain stable and usable.

By providing a highly conducive learning environment, SM Foundation aims to help increase students’ attendance record and improve their academic performance as well as help improve the quality of teaching for the teachers.

To-date, the Foundation has turned over 80 school buildings to public schools with 248 classrooms, fully furnished with sturdy arm chairs, wall fans, blackboards, teacher’s desk sets and toilets, among others.

The SM Foundation School Building team who received the Silver Anvil Award are SM-EDD Project Engr. Jeff Villanueva; SMIC Consultant Juris Soliman, Head Coordinator of the School Building Program; SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Carmen Linda Atayde, SM Foundation PR Director Neny Regino; and, SM Foundation School Building Supervisor Christian Guillermo.

The Anvil Award, the Oscars of PR, is annually given to honor outstanding programs, campaigns, tools, and professionals in the fields of public relations, marketing and corporate communications.