“ Nagpapasalamat po kami sa SM, sa kanilang mga relief goods, sapagkat naging bahagi po kayo sa buhay ng mga katutubong Aeta,” said Jerry dela Cruz, IPMR( Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative) of San Marcelino, Zambales .
A total of 288 families in 4 Sitios and 4 Barangays in San Marcelino , Zambales received relief goods from SM Foundation through the help of MSWDO , IPMR Office and the volunteers from SM City Olongapo Downtown.
“After we got reports that Aeta community in Buhawen, San Marcelino, Zambales were evacuated due to proliferation of dusts from the mountain due to the effect of the recent 6.1 magnitude earthquake, Operation Tulong Express of SM Foundation was immediately activated to conduct relief operations to the affected communities,” Ana Lorraine Azucena, asst. mall manager of SM Olongapo Central said.
“While relief operation was ongoing, I’ve observed that while some of the Aetas looked sad, others were ecstatic upon receiving the relief goods. They were so thankful eventhough they don’t know how life will start over for their families when they go back to their homesteads, “ Nette Mortel, public relations manager of SM Olongapo Downtown expressed.
“SM Foundation slogan, ‘People Helping People’ once again demonstrates how Operation Tulong Express was implemented to earthquake victims in Porac Pampanga, San Marcelino and Subic Zambales, and Bataan. So far, SM Foundation has reached out to 2,950 families or 14,750 individuals,” Cristie Angeles, SM Foundation AVP for Outreach and Livelihood said.
As of this writing, the Aeta evacuees have already returned to their respective communities.