Friday, August 22, 2014
Malaya:

RECOGNIZING its efforts in promoting the welfare of children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) named SM Supermalls and SM Prime Holdings as corporate champions for children.

In a simple ceremony held recently, UNICEF representatives presented plaques of recognition to SM Prime Holdings, Inc. president Hans T. Sy, SM Supermalls president Annie S. Garcia, and Royston A. Cabuñag, program director of SM Cares Program for the Youth and Children’s Welfare, for their leadership in SM’s work with the UN organization.

“We are here to recognize SM Supermalls’ continued commitment in supporting our aim to uphold child rights,” said Yasumasa Kimura, UNICEF regional chief for private fundraising and partnerships, as he presented the awards. According to the citation, SM has been a consistent and reliable partner in UNICEF’s work to “raise funds and deliver critical, innovative, and effective programs for children in the Philippines and worldwide.”

Kimura highlighted SM’s role in promoting advocacies that align with UNICEF’s goals, such as breastfeeding, child protection and Internet safety, access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and good hygiene.

Head of UNICEF private sector partnership in the Philippines, Michelle Parazo-Borromeo, described the six-year partnership with SM “a good fit.” Borromeo recalled how, in 2008, UNICEF was looking for a private sector partner to help push for the achievement of one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the UN–reducing infant mortality. Part of that MDG, she explained, was the provision of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in order for children survive and then thrive.