The race to stop Covid-19 from spreading through vaccination is still on, and SM Development Corporation (SMDC) is putting its foot down to safeguard its inhabitants and staff.
The country's largest and fastest-growing real estate developer recently inoculated 1,200 condominium residents in four of its properties, namely Mezza Residences, Mezza II Residences, Grass Residences, and Trees Residences, all in Quezon City, in collaboration with local government units and the Philippine Red Cross.
SMDC Residents undergo the necessary health screening with the Red Cross before the vaccine is administered.
The corporation is appreciative for the help of the Quezon City government and the Red Cross, as well as the desire of SMDC residents to be vaccinated, according to SMDC President Jose Mari Banzon.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte at the SMDC vaccination drive at SMDC’s Mezza Residences
The Red Cross has warned that if we are to win the race against increasingly transmissible and potentially lethal Covid-19 strains, vaccination rates must rapidly increase and protective measures must be maintained.
The entire SM Group has been actively supporting the government's vaccination program by inoculating its employees and opening its malls as vaccination sites, and SMDC saw the need to join the campaign after an informal survey revealed that the majority of its residents have not yet taken advantage of the government's inoculation programs.
LGU and DOH inspected the function rooms of the SMDC properties, and were approved as inoculation venues for the SMDC residents.
The amenity areas in the SMDC developments served as safe vaccination venues. The Red Cross ensured the proper sanitation of these areas and provided medical personnel to administer the vaccines. A number of medical doctors and nurses, who are actual residents of SMDC properties, volunteered and have been trained to help.
The idea received praise from the local administration, the Red Cross, and citizens, who eagerly posed for photos after receiving vaccine shots, holding banners that read "Proudly Vaccinated" with the hashtag "#goodjabgoodguys," in the hopes of encouraging more people to be vaccinated.
An SMDC resident posing for a photo after his vaccination.
Several senior residents living at SMDC Residences expressed gratitude for the company's gesture, which made vaccinations more convenient for them. They admitted that they were originally hesitant to leave the comforts of their condominium units to get vaccinated because they were afraid of contracting the virus in busy, unsanitary settings. “Mabuti na lang dito na ginawa ang vaccine sa community namin. Kami kailangan lumayo pa na kailangan lumayo na kailangan lumayo na One of them added, "Mahirap talaga lumabas pag senior na kasi dahil baka ma-expose pa ako sa virus."
A senior SMDC resident receiving the vaccine in the safe confines of her community.
SMDC has also launched a vaccination campaign for its staff and sales representatives in order to guarantee a safe working environment and to ensure that anyone interested in contacting an SMDC sales agent to ask about a property can do so safely.
A medical staff of the Red Cross administering the vaccine to an SMDC Sales Person.
SMDC plans to continue rolling out its vaccination drive, working together with LGUs and the Philippine Red Cross for its other developments.
To read more information about SMDC and its various community activities, visit https://smdc.com/