The senior community at SMDC’s Grass Residences in Quezon City eagerly participates during their Senior Digizen Learning Session.
The SM Group, through SM Development Corporation (SMDC), recently collaborated with Globe to roll out the #SeniorDigizen program in its residential properties, fostering a safe and inclusive digital community for elderly residents.
The initiative aligns with SMDC’s commitment to protecting residents and encouraging a vibrant community spirit by equipping senior citizens with the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world safely. Data from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) shows senior citizens are frequent victims of digital fraud, resulting in losses of approximately P155 million in 2023.
“The SeniorDigizen program is part of our ongoing commitment to empowering our senior residents with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate the digital world confidently,” said Jessica Bianca ‘Jica’ T. Sy, vice president and head of Design, Innovation, and Strategy of SM Prime and SMDC.
“Our goal is to create an immediate impact within these communities, and as we continue to grow the initiative, we plan to reach out to our neighboring communities by hosting similar events for them,” she added.
The #SeniorDigizen offers free, tailored learning sessions on cybersecurity, fintech apps like GCash, and telehealth services like KonsultaMD. The pilot program was launched at Grass Residences in Quezon City, benefiting elderly residents often targeted by online scams.
Grass Residences was chosen as the pilot site due to its significant senior population. The program was a welcome opportunity for residents like Connie Cailles, a 76-year-old participant.
Cailles, a resident of Grass Residences recalled how excited she was when she saw the program in one of the notices in their building’s elevator.
Upon completing the lessons, she added how helpful the staff and the program were in attending to her and fellow seniors, compared to relatives who would sometimes lose patience in teaching her how to navigate her phone’s features and essential apps.
“Okay po na nakatutok sila sa amin,” she said. “Lalo na kasi pasensyoso’t pasensyosa sila. Kasi usually kapag mga kamag-anak ko—mga alam mo na—parang naoobligado sila. Kapag sa mga ganitong programa, pakiramdam ko naii-spoil tuloy kami.”
(It’s nice that the staff are patient with us seniors. Usually, when it’s my relatives—you know how it is—they feel obligated. But it feels like we’re being spoiled in programs like this.)
Elbert Mozo, treasurer of the Grass Residences Board of Trustees, echoed the program’s success: “This activity had the highest attendance of seniors here at Grass. Although some are still adjusting, I see them trying. Thanks to SMDC and Globe, I think more attendees will join after this.”
The half-day program ensured that all participants received hands-on assistance, fostering an environment where seniors could learn without fear of judgment or discouragement. SMDC plans to expand the initiative, inviting more participants from other communities.
The half-day program ensured the presence of our dedicated staff in assisting a senior citizen with tech questions, ensuring everyone wouldn’t feel discouraged from learning.
SM’s support to the senior citizen community
The SM group has been at the forefront of initiatives supporting and uplifting its senior citizens community.
Through SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation and the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, the group supports initiatives focused on communities and the environment.
Some of its advocacies include the Emergency Preparedness Forum for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Senior Citizens, an annual forum equipping vulnerable sectors, such as PWDs and older people, with emergency preparedness skills to help them protect themselves and their loved ones. Since its launch in 2015, the program has successfully trained over 7,417 individuals.
In addition, the Walk for Life parade is an event to honor seniors during the celebration of Elderly Filipino Week.
In line with the SM Foundation’s mission to provide targeted social investments in education, healthcare, and livelihood to help underserved Filipinos improve their lives, health and wellness centers also benefit seniors.
