SMEC recently handed over a cash donation to the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE), a non-government organisation dedicated to older people’s health and well-being in the Philippines. The assistance will focus on improving access and conditions for abandoned, homeless older women in COSE’s group home in Bulacan, Central Luzon.
COSE’s group home in Bulacan is close to the ongoing Manila International Airport Land Development Project, where SMEC is providing construction management services in collaboration with parent firm Surbana Jurong.
Since it was founded in 1989, COSE has been working to uphold the rights of indigent, older people and promote recognition of the sector, while respecting cultural diversity, encouraging gender equality, and nurturing potential. Its group home concept is based on the idea of “aging in one’s own place”, where marginalised and elderly people continue to be part of, and contribute to, the community.
Formerly caring for 25 abandoned or neglected older women, decreased resources have led to capacity constraints in COSE’s Bulacan group home, which also needs to be repaired and repainted due to years of wear and tear.
Supporting poverty reduction by improving the conditions of socially and economically disadvantaged communities, the initiative aligns with SMEC’s corporate social responsibility program. Our donation will be used to purchase assistive devices (including crutches and wheelchairs) and replace furniture in the living area. It will also contribute to general maintenance.
Elderly women pictured at a deteriorated COSE Group Home facility in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
In October 2023, Johan Basson (Function Manager, Urban Development) received an Honorary Fellowship from the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA).
The SMEC Foundation has supported a range of projects, guided by on-the-ground support and the professional expertise of SMEC staff. The dedication and local engagement within many of our regions sets the SMEC Foundation apart from other donor organisations. Your passion for making a difference has propelled us forward, enabling us to impact lives, uplift communities, and create positive change.
In a strong display of commitment to environmental sustainability, around 50 SMEC employees recently laced up their running shoes to participate in the “Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan” (Earth Run) 2023 held on 26 November at Liwasang Ulalim, CCP Complex, Pasay City. The event featured three run categories – 5K, 10K, and 25K – and was organised by the Green Media Events Company.
To bolster environmental stewardship, SMEC joined forces recently with the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) for a successful tree planting initiative in Vietnam. The activity, held at Me Linh Station for Biodiversity, located around 50km north of Hanoi, marked a significant step in SMEC’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.