The dream of several informal settler families living along Tullahan River in Valenzuela City for better and permanent homes away from danger zones gets a push from one of the biggest conglomerates in South East Asia as San Miguel Corporation (SMC) commits to build more than 300 homes at the City’s Disiplina Village housing project.

The publicly-listed company has tapped its social development arm, San Miguel Foundation, Inc. (SMF) to spearhead its mission in providing shelter for victims of flooding brought about by Storm Ondoy who are priority beneficiaries at the Disiplina Village.

SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang, Dakilang Handog Foundation, Inc. Chairperson Dee Hua Gatchalian and Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian formally seal the commitment through the signing of the memorandum of agreement at the company’s headquarters in Pasig City.

Other signatories present to further express their support were SMF Board of Trustees Chairman and SMC Vice President for Corporate Affairs Ramon Santiago, San Miguel Brewery, Inc. President Roberto Huang

A week after, top officials of the company led by San Miguel Brewery Subsidiary Head Mr. Huang, SMC Executive Vice President Keisuke Nishimura, and San Miguel Foundation Executive Director Camille Buenaventura visited Disiplina Village to check on the area where the company’s pledged cluster buildings are to be built.

Mayor WIN, along with key City Officials, showed them the scope of work to be done and the resources the community needs for their dreams to become a reality.

The momentum gained with the entry of SMC is the latest among the string of corporate donorships in developing the 1.9-hectare community in Brgy. Ugong which is expected to accommodate 900 families in 16-unit, 56-cluster buildings.

Recently, Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation came on board in constructing the first 3-cluster buildings which were turned over recently to the first 46 priority family beneficiaries.

San Miguel Corporation which is the leader in wide range of business interests operates the San Miguel Polo Brewery (formerly called Balintawak Beer Brewery) along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Marulas.  It is the oldest amongst the five breweries owned and operated by the company in the Philippines.

- Mark Lester Cayabyab