Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) SM malls in Metro Manila and Luzon opened their doors to take in stranded customers and nearby residents affected by the wrath of Typhoon Rolly over the weekend.
Now weakened into a tropical storm, Rolly, then a super typhoon, made its second landfall in Albay on Sunday, wreaking havoc to the rest of the Bicol Region and Southern Luzon. Ahead of the foreseen devastation, the SM Supermalls management waived overnight parking charges and provided free WiFi, charging stations, and a help desk to assist storm victims.
“Our malls in the typhoon-hit areas will remain open to those who need shelter. Rest assured that we will extend much-needed relief assistance to help rebuild our communities,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.
On Nov. 1, SM Malls in Metro Manila and select parts of Luzon closed early but still accommodated anyone who sought shelter from the typhoon.
SM Markets, the mother brand of SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore, also announced that its branches will remain open to serve these areas.
Kalinga Packs for Typhoon Victims
Together with SM Foundation, SM Supermalls will distribute 15,000 Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) Kalinga packs to families in these severely hit areas:
Albay:
Daraga
Guinobatan
Jovellar
Legazpi City
Libon
Ligao
Polangui
Oas
Pio Duran
Camarines Norte:
Barangay Bagasbas
Barangay Lag-on
Camarines Sur:
Baao
Buhi
Bula
Iriga
Nabua
Naga City
Tinabac
Sorsogon:
Sorsogon City
Each OPTE Kalinga pack contains 5kg of rice and food essentials. This effort forms part of the OPTE social good program of SM Foundation in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets to address the needs of communities during calamities.
For more updates and announcements, visit www.smsupermalls.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
