SM malls in Central Luzon joined the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), a quarterly National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)-led activity that seeks to educate the public on disaster preparedness against earthquakes and to showcase government capability on disaster response. 

With the summer season coming up, malls SM City Pampanga, SM City Clark, SM City San Fernando Downtown, SM Telabastagan, Savemore Market Apalit, SM City Tarlac, SM City Olongapo Central, SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Cabanatuan and SM Megacenter Cabanatuan held simulations on earthquake and evacuation participated by customers, employees, agencies, affiliates, tenants and staff on its continuous promotion in providing education and awareness to its front liners and partners on these natural and/or man-made catastrophe through conducting regular seminars on safety and evacuation. 

Over 2,500 participants including customers, tenants/affiliates, BPO and SM employees and agencies participated in the simultaneous drills. The activity was fully supported by each areas local government partners with presence from Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices of each cities who have been training and in close coordination on earthquake and fire simulations in SM malls in Central Luzon.

Mall Manager Aaron Montenegro spearheads the simulation drill at SM City Pampanga. “SM continues to promote education and awareness to its front liners, partners and most importantly to our customers in times when earthquakes strike by conducting regular training on safety which is a top priority,” said Montenegro. On March 13, a Fire Drill will be held at all SM malls in Central Luzon through a simulation to educate, prepare on what to expect and how to respond during these calamitous times.