UNIQLO, SM DONATE 2M HOUSING SUPPLIES, CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES TO BULACAN COMMUNITIES

2 million worth of housing materials and construction supplies were donated by Japanese global apparel retailer, UNIQLO, through SM Foundation Incorporated to communities from Obando to San Miguel, Bulacan

Being one of the of the hardest hit provinces during typhoon season, many communities in low-lying areas in Bulacan are often submerged in floods; prompting families to seek temporary roof in evacuation centers or public disaster shelters.

With this, the housing materials and construction supplies donated by Uniqlo will not only support the repair, rebuilding, and new construction of home for families displaced by the recent calamities like Ulysses but will also help in the disaster preparedness as typhoon season peaks in the Philippines.

“Malaking bagay po (donation) kasi maitatayo po yung nasira na bahay namin nung Ulysses” says Rolando Santos, a beneficiary from Tabing Ilog in Marilao. Lorena Dauba from Lambakin, Marilao also added “Malaking tulong po dahil may pandagdag na materyales na yero, plywood sa pagawa ng bahay lalo na at padating ang tag-ulan”.

As recommended by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, each of the 58 communities in Bulacan composed of 200 families will received Php.10,000 worth of construction materials such as galvanized iron sheets, roofing and wood nails, sealants, sealant guns, marine plywood and lumber.

Through SM City Marilao, donations were brought to families living in San Pascual in Obando, San Jose in Paombong, San Pedro and Fatima V in San Jose Del Monte and Matungao, San Nicolas and Taliptip in Bulakan, Bulakan. Beneficiaries also include families in Banga and Calvario in Meycauayan and Sta. Rosa, Tabing Ilog and Lambakin in Marilao.

Rounds of donation, on the other hand, were conducted by SM City Baliwag in communities like Sta. Cruz, Laog, Sto. Cristo in Angat, Sabang, Bagong Nayon, San Jose and Poblacion in Baliwag, Pulong Sampalok, Kalawakan, Sapang Bulak and Camachile in DRT, Poblacion, Matictic and Baraka in Norzagaray, San Juan and Maasim in San Ildelfonso and Santa Rita Matanda, Tartaro, San Vicente, Sta. Ines, Sta. Lucia, Santa Rita Bata, Poblacion, Bagbaguin and Sta. Clara in San Miguel.

Chosen beneficiaries in Baliwag were identified as the most affected families, with houses that are still damaged at present. “Mayroon tayong partial damage na 2,500 at may more or less 900 na totally damage last year” said Baliwag MSWDO Department Head Josephine Lopez.

In close coordination with the Local Government Units of the recipient towns, families from Poblacion, Cambaog and Catacte in Bustos, Sumapang Bata, Lugam, Masile, Dakila, Niugan, Santor, Tikay and Balite in Malolos, Dampol 2nd in Pulilan and Bagbaguin and Sta. Clara in Sta Maria likewise received donations from Uniqlo through SM Center Pulilan.

“Pauna na po ang aming taos pusong pasasalamat sa inyong pagsuporta” shares Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Rowena Tiongson. “Nawa po ay mas marami pa tayong Bulakenyong matulungan sa naapektuhan ng mga nagdaang kalamidad lalo na po ng Bagyong Ulysses” Ms. Tiongson added.

Uniqlo’s housing materials and construction supplies donation is part of the relief and recovery efforts made through its parent company- SM Group. As recalled, the global fashion brand donated over 1 million USD in aid last quarter of 2020. Through SM Foundation Inc, an entity that manages the CSR activities of SM Group, donations were mobilized to affected communities around the Philippines to provide emergency food supplies and rebuild flooded housing, as well as build preventative infrastructure in areas susceptible to flooding.