BoardRoom Discussions

As of this writing, there are 2 confirmed cases of A(H1N1) in the Philippines, and the gov’t. advised the public to take precautionary measures, but at the same time, not to panic.

While personal hygiene is the responsibility of individuals, corporations that managed malls, L/MRT’s,  and alike,  has their share on the protecting the people. First, the responsibility towards their employees, and second, towards the general public. This is called “Corporate Social Responsibility” or CSR.

Thus, I find this news blogworthy, since Filipinos find Malls as their # 1 hang out place. Responsible businessmen will ensure the health and safety of the people.

According to Doris Dumlao, the writer from Philippine Daily Inquirer,

Local shopping mall giants are actively taking preemptive measures to prevent a potential outbreak of the swine flu virus following reports of isolated cases of infection from people who had traveled abroad…

John Gokenwei’s Robinson’s Malls

In the case of Robinsons Land, a company statement sent to Philippine Daily Inquirer said it was discouraging employees with symptoms of fever, flu, cough and colds from reporting to work.

The company noted that all Robinsons shopping malls have back offices where employees were stationed. These employees have to secure clearance from the doctor to be allowed to go back to work, it said.

“Proper hygiene like regular hand washing especially after shaking hands with other people and covering your mouth and nose when sneezing are also enforced in these offices,” it said

Henry Sy’s SM Supermalls

“We are one in the community, in the Philippines and with the rest of world in our concern for swine flu,” Garcia said, noting that the SM group had issued a lot of advisory in conjunction with the information campaigns of the Department of Health and World Health Organization on the virus.

“In addition, we’re in the process of installing alcohol dispensers in our comfort rooms,” Garcia said.

She added that the SM group had also increased the disinfection of elevators, floors and especially hand railings of escalators in its shopping malls.

And because the virus is air-borne, she said the SM group would increase air volume in its malls to allow more fresh air to come in. She said the spread of the virus could thus be prevented with better air circulation.

Garcia made this comment during a press briefing on the opening in SM City North EDSA of the Sky Garden, an elevated curvilinear park with a 400-meter canopied walkway cutting across manicured lawns, ponds, trees, about 33 new retail outlets and a performance area called Sky Dome which has a capacity of about 1,500 people.

These corporations make their millions out of the Filipinos spending behavior. Thus, it’s kinda confidence building when you know efforts are being exerted to put public interest on top of the agenda. I believe there are more corporations doing similar actions for their employees and customers that don’t get media attention. And I also hope that public transpo operators will contribute in their own little way to protect the riding public.

If you know of precautionary measures intitiated by private corporations to combat A (H1N1) virus, please share. These companies deserve a little recognition.