San Miguel Corporation (SMC), through its San Miguel Foundation (SMF), has unveiled its latest and largest addition to its Better World Community Centers on Friday for the company’s 133rd anniversary.

Dubbed as Better World Smokey Mountain, it stands on a 3,700 square meter facility near the former Smokey Mountain landfill and expected to serve as a learning and skills development center for 2,500 families or roughly 12,500 individuals from the historically underserved communities in Tondo.

The center has 39 modern classrooms spread across four levels. It is part of SMC’s ambitious goal to uplift the lives of 15 million Filipinos by 2030.

“As we celebrate San Miguel’s 133rd anniversary, our commitment to nation-building and in helping uplift the lives of more Filipinos, is as strong as ever. And today, a critical challenge in our country is the widening skills gap in our disadvantaged communities, which hinders the progress of many of our kababayans,” said SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang.

“Our goal is to equip our Tondo beneficiaries with essential skills, instill in them a growth mindset, and a vision of a brighter future. By providing these families the opportunity to upskill, we hope to ultimately boost their income levels, decrease unemployment, elevate overall living standards, and help them realize inter-generational change.”

Ang, who grew up in Tondo, was visibly moved upon seeing the children beneficiaries at the facility and on the spot announced to Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna a P500-million initial donation to help build more school facilities in the City of Manila.

He added that this was in gratitude to the city where he grew up, and further encouraged children from poor families to persevere and study well, because like him, they too can succeed in life.

SMC has been working with partners to boost skills training and entrepreneurship all over the country as part of its overall approach to nation-building which includes investing in critical, job-generating industries that are seen to boost both local and national economies.

Photo: SMC