SMC collaborates with relief group for learning, feeding center in Tondo

San Miguel Corp. has partnered with Rise Against Hunger-Philippines for a food bank that serves as a feeding and learning center in Manila’s Tondo district, one of the most impoverished areas in the country.

SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, opened the Better World Tondo facility on Wednesday.

Better World Tondo will provide food and after-school programs for residents, especially the children and single parents, the elderly and the disabled.

“Better World Tondo was a concept we’ve had for some time. We want to be able to collaborate with businesses and companies to collect excess food, store them in a food bank, to be served to those in need by community volunteers,” said SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang.

“It’s food rescue to address hunger, which is still a major problem for many sectors of our society,” Ang noted.

The food will be sourced from manufacturers, hotels, restaurants, and convenience stores.

San Miguel Foods as a major donor is joined by the Spam brand, Makati Diamond Residences, and the Manila Diamond Hotel.

“We look forward to welcoming the community here. This center is for them, so they have a role and responsibility in it,” said Ang, referring to his birthplace. “We emphasize participation and shared responsibility so that we can move communities forward to make positive changes.

“Those who will benefit from this center will be asked to help by cooking food, washing dishes, or contributing in however way they can,” he added.

SMC also partnered with AHA! Learning Center to provide after-school programs for children, focusing on values formation and skills building.

“It is also a learning center where they can supplement what they learn in school through skills building and values formation to allow them to lead better lives,” said Ang.

SMC is a diversified conglomerate doing business in food, fuel and oil, energy, infrastructure, banking, and real estate.

It’s subsidiaries include San Miguel Brewery Inc., Ginebra San Miguel Inc., San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc., SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., SEA Refinery Corporation, San Miguel Holdings Corp., and San Miguel Properties Inc. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News