SM MARKETS BAGS AWARD FOR WORKPLACE INCLUSION

SM Markets was honored as Partner of the Year by the Autism Society of the Philippines’ Autism Works at the Angels Walk recently held at the Mall of Asia Arena. SM Markets championed workplace inclusion program for persons with autism (PWAs) in select Savemore Market and SM Supermarket branches, through the company’s pioneering AutiSM at Work program.

In 2017, AutiSM at Work supported six Savemore and SM Supermarket branches. By the first quarter of 2018, the program will be implemented in 17 stores, Savemore Acacia, Savemore Agora, Savemore Bangkal, Savemore Festival Mall, Savemore Jaro, Savemore Light Mall, Savemore Mezza, Savemore Parkmall, SM Supermarket Aura, SM Supermarket BF Homes, SM Supermarket Calamba, SM Supermarket Sta. Rosa, SM Supermarket Ecoland, SM Hypermarket Iloilo, SM Hypermarket J Centre, SM Hypermarket Molino and SM Hypermarket Pasig. To-date, the program has given 69 positions for persons with autism over three years.

“As long-time advocates of persons with disabilities, we are happy to support this project and designed it to be as inclusive as possible. We have more than doubled the number of participating stores to accommodate more AutiSM at Work participants,” Savemore Market president Jojo Tagbo said.

“The program does not only help persons with autism find productive work; but it has also help SM Markets employees become better professionals,” shared Mona Magno-Veluz, National President of the Autism Society Philippines.