SINIMULAN na ng San Miguel Corporation (SMC) ang youth development program nito na naglalayong matulungan sa pag-aaral ang mga kabataan at mas lalong mapabuti ang kanilang kinabukasan.
Ayon kay SMC president Ramon S. Ang, ang SMC Educational Assistance Program ay kasalukuyang tumutulong sa 292 elementary, junior high, senior high at college students sa mga host communities nito sa Bulacan, Quezon Province, Batangas, at General Santos City.
“Sustainability is a big part of not just our new projects, but all of San Miguel’s operations. For our communities, it is even more critical, that is why in the last couple of years, we have been very proactive in instituting social and environmental initiatives in our future project sites, long before any construction is done. These programs are part of our holistic approach to improving the lives of those who will be our future host communities and partners,” wika ni Ang.
Sinimulan ng SMC ang programa sa gitna ng pandemya sa Sariaya, Quezon, kung saan nagtayo ang kompanya ng isang model sustainable housing relocation village na may disaster-resilient homes, recreation at learning facilities, complementary fishermen’s dock, multi-purpose center, at public market na pinatatakbo ng mga mangingisda at magsasaka na naninirahan sa nasabing lugar.
Tinutulungan ng programang ito ang 43 kabataan ng mga pamilya sa Sariaya na binigyan din ng training ng SMC sa entrepreneurial at iba pang kasanayan sa pakikipagtulungan sa Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Sinundan ito ng SMC Education Assistance Program para sa 81 beneficiaries sa Bulakan, Bulacan, kung saan itatayo ang New Manila International Airport (NMIA).
Umaabot naman sa 129 kabataan mula sa elementary, junior high, senior high, at college ang tinutulungan ng programa sa Calatagan, Batangas. Sa General Santos City naman ay 39 junior, senior high at college students ang kasama sa programa.
“We are well aware of how difficult it is to pursue online learning during the pandemic. Experts point out to learning challenges like the lack of reliable internet connection, inadequate computer knowledge or equipment, loss of interest or motivation, stress, depression, distractions at home, and the lack of support system that is usually present in traditional school environment,” wika ni Ang.
“But with the same determination in providing better and safe homes, livelihood and skills training, and additional sources of income to our beneficiaries, our social development teams are using their experience of working with people from many of our communities nationwide, to help parents and their children cope with the challenges they face. Hopefully, we can prepare them for a better future, and to take advantage of future opportunities at our developments,” dagdag pa niya.
Ang agro-industrial complex ng SMC sa Sariaya ay may brewery, grains terminal, feedmill, ready-to-eat food manufacturing plant, high-tech poultry facility, uel tank farm, at port facilities.