MANILA — SM Supermalls received a special award for its indispensable support in the government’s implementation of the National Vaccination Drive and for hosting VaxCertPh booths in SM branches nationwide, as well as carrying the Safety Seal Certification program as part of the shared fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

SM Supermalls received the citation during the awarding ceremony for the Best Performing Local Government Units on March 22 at the SM Mall of Asia.

The event was graced by representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, who opened the program with his welcome message.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in a video message, congratulated the winners for their strong leadership during the pandemic and for being valued partners of the national government in implementing important projects that contributed to the country’s improved COVID-19 status.

“Salute to all the recipients of this day’s awards for your robust commitment and partnership with the national government as we altogether implement these programs down to the grassroots. I know and acknowledge that without your support, we would have not surmounted the past two years of this pandemic. Kaya nais kong ipaabot sa inyo ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat,” President Duterte said.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año meanwhile said the winners have shown synergy with the government’s implementation of numerous programs two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the other LGUs can learn from the winners and should strive to emulate their victory.

“The victory of today’s winners are founded on their cooperation and support to these programs which have changed the landscape of the country’s COVID-19 response,” Año also said. “Pagbati sa inyong tagumpay at hangad namin na kayo ay pamarisan ng iba pang mga LGU sa bansa.” ~

TOP PHOTO: Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte, National Task Force Against Covid-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Secretary Vivencio Dizon, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Emmanuel Caintic, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.