BSP and SM Store inaugurate first coin deposit machines

by Info @Brand Zone | June 22, 2023

In a bid to improve coin circulation in the Philippines, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and SM Store deployed the first of Coin Deposit Machines (CoDMs) at the SM Store in SM Mall of Asia, today, June 20, 2023. This is the first of 18 coin machines that will be available at the SM Stores and SM Supermarkets.

The BSP-initiated project aims to boost its Coin Recirculation Program and to promote financial inclusion and digitalization. With these machines, SM shoppers can now conveniently deposit their coins and credit the corresponding value to their e-wallets, or convert them to vouchers redeemable at SM Store outlets.

“Most of the time, we put our loose change in our wallets, in piggy banks, inside drawers, or worse, used as a washer or thrown away. It is time that we realize that coins are as equally important as our bills and the money we have in our bank accounts and e-wallets. It is our hope that as one SM family, we can help address the looming coin issues in the country by using these CoDMs deployed in our malls,” said SM Retail Vice President for Treasury Jeffrey Ang.

According to the BSP, there were 11.1 billion pieces of coins in circulation since December 2005, 6.7 billion pieces of which were low-denomination coins. This brought coins per capita to 121, way above the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) standard of 50 pieces. However, the demand remains unfilled in many parts of the country because coins are not being recirculated, or used regularly by the public.

"Hopefully, this will help solve the artificial coin shortage commonly experienced in the provinces. More enhancements are also expected as we roll out this game-changing project. With the support of our partners and stakeholders, the BSP is optimistic that this initiative will significantly reinforce coin circulation in the country for the benefit of the Filipino people," said BSP Governor Felipe Medalla.

Last year, the BSP signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with SM and other retailers for the deployment of CoDMs in their malls. This move signaled the start of installing initial 25 coin deposit machines in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

This is not the first time that SM has partnered with the BSP. In 2022, SM launched its cashless malling initiative that helped boost digital transactions and further drive financial inclusion in the country. The program allowed consumers to shop at SM malls and pay through QR Ph, the country’s QR code standard.

To know more about how SM Store makes shopping more convenient for Filipinos, visit https://smstore.com/ or follow https://www.facebook.com/TheSMStore/

SM “adopts” Baguio City in National Resilience Council’s Resilient Local Government Unit Program

by Info @Brand Zone | June 20, 2023

SM “adopts” Baguio City in National Resilience Council’s Resilient Local Government Unit Program through the Adopt-A-City initiative and joins Manila, Bataan, Naga, Ormoc, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Tiwi.

From L-R, seated: ARISE-Philippines Co-chair VAdm. Alexander P. Pama, SM SVP for Operations Engr. Bien C. Mateo, SM Prime Holdings Inc. President Jeffrey C. Lim, Baguio City Mayor Hon. Benjamin B. Magalong, NRC Executive Director Silvestre Barrameda Jr., Carlos P. Romulo Foundation for Peace and Development Board of Trustee Liana Elena M. Romulo, Zuellig Family Foundation President Austere Panadero and Baguio City’s Assistant Department Head Antonette Anaban.

Also joining them in the photo are: (standing) SM Prime’s Chairman of the Executive Committee, Hans T. Sy (3rd from right) with (L-R) Deputy DRM Officer Louie Glenn Lardizabal, Baguio’s CDRRM Officer Stephanie Trinidad, SM Prime’s Board of Director Jorge Mendiola, DENR’s Undersecretary Marilou Erni, Baguio City Councilor Hon. Maximo Edwin Jr., and Vice-President for Corporate Compliance Group for SM Supermalls Engr. Liza Silerio.

Malaking Job Fair sa SMX Manila para sa mga jobseekers!

by Info @Brand Zone | April 25, 2023

Ang SM Supermalls, sa pakikipagtulungan sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE ), ay magkakaron ng pinakamalaking Job Fair sa bansa!

Simula pa noong taong 2008, ang SM Supermalls ay nagsasagawa na ng mga job fairs sa iba’t ibang SM Malls sa Pilipinas at sa Labor Day, May 1, ang pinakamalaking Job Fair ay gaganapin sa SMX Convention Center sa Manila. Ang SM Supermalls, after May 1 ay mananatiling bukas ang mga malls para sa mga darating pang Job Fairs sa bansa.

Ang mga job fairs na ito ay naglalayong magbigay ng mga opportunities para sa mga jobseekers, pati na rin para suportahan ang mga pagsisikap ng pamahalaan na mabawasan ang unemployment sa bansa.

Bukas ang mga job fairs sa lahat, kabilang ang mga newly graduates, mga OFWs, at ang mga nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pandemic ng Covid 19.

Sa araw ng Job Fair, ang mga naghahanap ng trabaho ay maaaring magsubmit ng kanilang mga resume at magkaron ng mga initial interviews sa mga kumpanya. Ang ilan sa mga companies na ito ay nagsasagawa rin ng mga on-the-spot hirings na ang mga qualified applicants ay maaaring makatanggap ng mga job offers sa mismong araw.

Bilang itinalagang official venue ng DOLE para sa Job Fairs nationwide sa Mayo 1, ang iba pang Job Fairs ay magaganap sa SM City Grand Central, SM Southmall, SM City BF Paranaque, SM City Sucat, SM City Baguio, SM City Marilao, SM City Pampanga, SM City Olongapo Central, SM City Tuguegarao, SM City Cabanatuan, SM CDO Downtown Premier, SM City Davao, and SM City San Jose del Monte.

Sa mga nagdaang taon, ang LGU at PESO ay nagsasagawa din ng mg Job Fairs online noong kasagsagan ng pandemia. Ngayon taon, magsasagawa sila ng Job Fairs sa SM City Marikina and SM City Lipa (May 1) under LGU and SM City Roxas (April 25 and May 1), SM City Bacolod (May 5 and 6), SM City Princesa (May 1), SM Cherry Antipolo (May12) and SM City Novaliches (May 1) under PESO.

Huwag palampasin ang pagkakataong ito para sa iyong pangarap na trabaho! Bisitahin ang pinakamalapit na SM Mall. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon at mga updates, visit www.smsupermalls.com or iffollow ang @SMSupermalls sa social media.