The SM Group announced Wednesday the opening of SM City Caloocan, SM’s 86th mall, that will better connect surrounding urban and rural communities, sharing borders with Quezon City, Valenzuela, and the cities of Marilao, Meycauayan and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.
The growing reach of SM malls nationwide is providing a venue for growth for many small and medium enterprises and communities.
“SM malls are venues for businesses to thrive and these provide linkages to adjacent and surrounding communities. Our malls have transport terminals for better access to these areas. The malls also serve as a hub for different brands and enterprises both local and foreign, all of which support economic activity,” said SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.
“With the opening of SM City Caloocan, we hope to bring more connections to more families in the North Caloocan community,” he said.
Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan shared how Caloocan residents have been very excited about the opening of the first SM mall in North Caloocan.
“We have been hoping for this because it will be the first big and leading mall to open in North Caloocan, which was once deemed as rural area. Having three SM malls in Caloocan shows the trust of the community in the partnership with SM. It’s a trust that builds on the capacity and belief in our people that enhances the vibrancy of our local economy,” said Malapitan.
Caloocan is identified by the Commission on Audit (COA) as one of the fastest-growing economies and has 65% of its 1.66 million residents in North Caloocan.
“There is a substantial economic impact in having SM Sangandaan, SM Grand Central and now, SM Caloocan in our city,” said Malapitan.
“Given the large workforce that mall operations entail, it has created jobs and more opportunities for our constituents,” he said.
SM said it remains committed to serving as a catalyst for local economic growth, with 80 percent of jobs in the new mall filled by residents in the community and over 7,900 employees across its three Caloocan malls in various roles.
With the new mall, two homegrown businesses, Mahiwaga Café and Elliot Bar & Restaurant, have also expanded their presence to their fifth and second branches respectively.
Success stories from Dandy Alberto of Mahiwaga Cafe and Elisa Domingo of Elliot Bar & Restaurant offer a glimpse of the overall impact of SM on the community of Caloocan. And through these partnerships, SM helps the community by providing livelihood opportunities, enabling locals to advance their careers and start their own businesses.
