SM CITY MINDPRO CAUSES VIOLATIONS IN COVID-19 CONTROL PROTOCOLS

BY RAYE ANGELIQUE BONGABONG

After its postponed opening last November 27, 2020, SM Prime Holdings opened SM City Mindpro - the first ever SM Mall in the Zamboanga Peninsula - to the public last December 08, 2020, which caused enraged netizens in an alleged stampede.

Pictures and videos shared online depicted a long line of Zamboangeños waiting outside the entrance of the mall without any social distancing. People flocked towards the entrance and loitered around the mall in close proximity. Netizens were dismayed at the huge number of mallgoers despite the pandemic and how social distancing protocol was not strictly enforced. The soft opening then reported in GMA’s 24 Oras with the headline criticizing the noncompliance of safety protocols.

This dismay was not in vain as Zamboanga City confirmed 195 active COVID-19 cases with a total of 3,416 cases reported in the City. With this number of active cases, citizens should take extra precautions, and disregarding health and safety protocols such as physical distancing is not exactly “taking extra precaution”. While the excitement about the firstever SM Mall in Zamboanga is understandable, the COVID-19 pandemic is still at large and complacency is something that we cannot afford to do.

SM City Mindpro is the 7th SM Mall in Mindanao and SM Prime Holdings’ 76th Supermall. The soft opening featured SM’s retail anchors such as the SM Store, Mindpro Supermarket, SM Cinema, SM Appliance Center, BDO, Ace Hardware, Sports Central, Surplus, Miniso, and Crocs. The mall has four levels of both foreign and local brands and stores with six levels of parking space. Mallgoers are required to participate in Trace Together, the mall’s virtual contact tracing where they would scan a QR Code and declare the following information: name, city address, mobile number, and health condition status. After fulfilling this, guests are now able to enter and shop wherever they wish .

SM City Mindpro is a testament to the economic development of Zamboanga City and to the confidence of big-scale companies to invest in the region and the whole of Mindanao. However, the mall is also a testament to the unstoppable Filipino mall culture, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

BY ALFARUC ANDAS

The City Government officially commenced Pascua na Zamboanga with the traditional grand ceremonial lighting that illuminates the magnificent City Hall brimmed with Christmas lights and decorations last December 01, 2020.

Mayor Maria Isabelle ClimacoSalazar led the ceremony, however, unlike the previous years, the switch-on activity was now held virtually through online channels in prioritization of health and safety protocols due to the threats of COVID-19 transmission.

Every December, the historic City Hall built during the American colonization becomes the main attraction of the event –covered in colorful Christmas lights and indigenous decorations. For this year the City Hall displays decorations that highlight the theme “Pamaskong Pamilyang Pilipino.”

The Estrella de Esperanza (Star of Hope) viewed at the center stage symbolizes hope nd serves as an inspiration to all Zamboangueños despite the overwhelming challenges and distress as we continue battling a year-long crisis.

Also, the City Mayor never fails to remind every Zamboangueños to always practice safety procedures while celebrating the best season of the year, and whenever they wish to experience the beauty of the City Hall for themselves during the night.“

“We will have a meaningful and safe Christmas celebration his year and we remind people to always practice the minimum safety protocols,” Climaco said.