The business industry is probably one of the most affected sectors of this pandemic outbreak. Many are on the verge of bankruptcy and some are not really doing well due to lack of income.

With all these issues on business failures, the lives of the workers are all at stake especially the ones who depend their lives on a daily work basis.

Thanks to companies who despite the huge loss are still choosing the welfare and sake of employees affected by the sudden halt of operations.

SM Supermalls, one of the biggest business conglomerates in the country, is among the companies that vowed to aid all of its employees in this virus outbreak.

In a press briefing last Thursday, May 21, 2020, SM Supermalls assured employees that they will continue to receive their full salary while quarantine measures are in place.

“Kahit ganyan naman ‘yung ating sitwasyon ay nangako naman ang SM Supermalls na patuloy nilang matatanggap ang buo nilang mga sweldo,” said Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls senior vice president for operations.

Ms. Hannah Santioque, an employee of SM Supermalls, has been working from home since the implementation of ECQ in the Metro.

In an interview with Ms. Santioque of the Lookout team, she told that SM Supermalls has asked them to go on work-from-home setup and promised them to still receive their full salary and benefits.

In the time of COVID-19, SM Supermalls is all after to its employees as promised to help and cater to their needs. They have chosen people over profit which is truly a good business move.

“Our company is an ‘employee-centric’ one because until now, they haven’t announced any retrenchment yet compared to other big companies,” Santioque told the team on how she sees the company’s approach on dealing with this pandemic towards employees.

 "Lahat apektado rito. Bukod sa SM Supermalls, 'yung aming mga over 25,000 na tenants ay heavily affected," said Mateo.

Two months after the closure, Mall operators including SM have been ordered to waive rental fees during the quarantine period, as a form of assistance to tenants hit by the restrictions.

The mall chain has reopened a number of its branches to the public since the shift of some areas to modified enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine,

To continue its quality service this pandemic season and as part of its lifetime promise to customers, The mall franchise has implemented additional cautionary measures against COVID-19.

These measures include a no face mask, no entry policy, thermal cameras, directions for one-way customer traffic, the provision of disinfectants in key areas, and elevators operating at 50 percent capacity.

Kudos SM Supermalls and all the other companies who generously looking after its people before anything else!

Banner by Frances Cabanlong