Restoring Filipino livelihood through bayanihan

The on-going health and safety restrictions due to the pandemic have not only highlighted the incredible resilience of the Filipino people. The circumstances have also shown the helpful nature that’s innate in every one of them, the tendency to help and place others before self.

Gary Vegaño, a former tricycle driver, is one of the many beneficiaries of the country’s Bayanihan spirit, the collective helping spirit of Pinoys. “Talagang walang-wala po dahil tigil-pasada po lahat,” shared Vegaño as he recalled the unfortunate effect of the pandemic to Filipino workers like him. For Gary and most of the country’s informal workforce, they did not expect this situation to last for months. Earning was already hard enough as it were before, the pandemic made it worse.

Fortunately, the nation stepped up to the plate. Bayanihan is still very much alive, as shown by the numerous outpouring of support from the private sector to Filipinos hit hard by the pandemic. COVID-19 did not dampen the Filipinos’ sense of community; it reinforced it.

Teaching a man to fish

Individual Filipinos, companies, and non-government organizations mobilized to provide aid to people like Vegaño who lost their livelihood. While this is a very welcome move, the sustainability of continuously providing food and material aid is something that was considered. From this consideration arose this project by one of the country’s largest employers, SM Prime Holdings.

“Even in times of uncertainty, SM is and will always be a family that will support and lift one another,” shared Jeffrey Lim, President of SM Prime Holdings. “It has been ingrained in our DNA to help our people cope with difficult circumstances the best that we can.”  SM Prime Holdings, together with partner organizations and other stakeholders, started the SM Community Rider Program and the Wheels-on-the-Go to help people like Vegaño to have a livelihood.

Vegaño is among the thousands of SM Personal Shoppers, a network of delivery riders nationwide that can buy products on one’s behalf. “Nakatulong po talaga ‘yung Bulacan Wheels On-the-Go ng SM. Nabigyan po [ako] ng kabuhayan [sa pamamagitan ng] pagde-deliver,” shared Vegaño.

Always ready and happy to help

SM Prime Holdings has been continuously working together with other like-minded corporations to address the impact of the pandemic. Aside from the program to help jeepney and tricycle drivers, SM has also helped over 26,000 small-scale farmers from Benguet and Pampanga by giving them a venue to sell their produce. “The Good Guys Market” brings fresh fruits and vegetables to several SM condominiums, while a weekend caravan called “The Farmer’s Produce” is available for SM mallgoers. Shoppers can buy fresh and local produce at SM Megamall on October 2 to 4 and at SM Southmall on October 16 to 18 and 23 to 25.

SM malls’ frontliners have also been provided with shuttle services to help them get to work safely and conveniently every day. These include security officers, grocery workers, and maintenance personnel who keep the malls safe, clean, and orderly. During these challenging times, they have shown great strength and determination to continue providing for their families.

"We all have a role to play in this fight against Covid-19 and for us, it is about ensuring that our family-- our shoppers, MSME partners, employees, and communities receive the help they need to recover from this crisis, while also prioritizing their safety and convenience," finished Lim.  

Filipinos are strong-willed and their bayanihan spirit is contagious. These are the inspiration behind SM Prime Holdings’ ‘People Helping People’ video that highlights accounts of resilience and hope amid the Covid-19 pandemic, just like Vegaño’s story.

Together, even the simplest act of kindness can go a long way.

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