Gender Equality and Women Empowerment the San Miguel Way

By: Mel Angelo T. Abracia

San Miguel Corporation is established ever since 1890 which started in the production and distribution
of beer in the country and overseas is now one of the most diversified and biggest conglomerates here
in the Philippines. Over the years of operation, the company never fails to celebrate every year the
National Women’s Month which focuses on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality.

Last March 8, 2022, on International Women’s Day, San Miguel Corporation through its San Miguel
Foundation opens its newest Better World community (BWC) located at Cubao, Quezon City. The BWC
aims to create a community where the members have access to essential services that help them
become empowered 21st century women. It’s a place where women can open up and be themselves,
learn, laugh and if necessary, heal.

The BWC – Cubao is the fourth Better World Community of SMC. Other BWC are located in Tondo, EDSA
and Diliman.

As pandemic strikes, one of the affected are the lives of women in terms of health, mental being and
rights. SMC through its BWC and non-profit partners, ensure health care services access to mothers in
need. One of the SMC partners is AHA Learning Center which provide educational support to students
and their mothers by means of giving out meals to families, feeding the students and as a learning
center. In August 2022, SMC offered free ultrasound services to BWC members and with minimal pay to
its employees. Aside from these, members of BWC are given free general consultations, reproductive
health services and laboratory tests.
SMC also launched its Abante Babae Workshop that covers topics with regards to Violence Against
Women and Children (VAWC), parenting, gender equality and sexual Reproductive Health. This program
aims to know better the struggles of women experiences in their life in order to give their needed
support and to help in their ambitions in life.

As reproductive health is an important aspect of being a woman, SMC in coordination with POPCOM and
Manila Health Department conducted family planning program and distribute free contraceptives to the
attendees in Better World Tondo. Family planning gives the women an idea the decide on how many

children would they want and all about pregnancies.

Another Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Program of SMC is the effort of providing
materials, training and livelihood to underprivileged women. Last August 2021, SMC provided classes to
women relocatees in Brgy. Taliptip for them to learn how to make mother sauces, salad and its dressing,
stacks and soups, and vegetable and meat dishes. All kitchen equipment is provided by SMC including
the masks, cooking gear, cooking equipment and ingredients. Another part of the short cooking
curriculum is food hygiene, quality and quantity, and satisfaction from patience and hard work.

At the end of the short curriculum, not only the students who became part of this gained knowledge,
but they also earned a new idea in how to earn a living by means of cooking.

Lastly, during the holiday seasons, Better World Community nanays in Tondo and Cubao are given the
stage light to present and showcase their amazing skills and talents at the Peta Theater last December
17, 2022 for their “Kumare the Musical” and other barangay performances.
The stories shared in the play reflect real life situations and challenges that many of our member-
beneficiaries, as women and mothers, go through. Kumare the Musical serves as a reminder that
women are capable and strong, but when things get tough, the Better World Community will always be
a safe space for them.

In the workplace, aside from giving the government mandated benefits for women and the same
benefits as what the men are having, women are empowered and encouraged to do continuous training
and education in order to improve one’s knowledge and skills and an opportunity to have a higher rank
in the company under SMC or its subsidiaries.

References:

https://www.sanmiguel.com.ph/news/smc-marks-intl-womens-day-opens-her-center-for-
disadvantaged-women

https://worldwewant.ph/stories/san-miguel-foundation-impact-report-2022

https://www.sanmiguel.com.ph/stories/innovative-and-inclusive-systems/smc-unlocking-the-potential-
of-underprivileged-women-in-taliptip-to-thrive