SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy was the guest of honor at the inauguration ceremonies of the basketball gymnasium which the company helped fund for the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Fire Fighters of the Philippines. Mr. Sy was joined by association officials led by president Amando Que, founding president Ben Ching, and vice-president Alberto Ong. The event also coincided with the opening of the group’s basketball competition.

Established in 1987, the association has played a major role in minimizing the loss of life and property during fires and disasters. Since its inception, the group has grown to 38 brigades, with more than 100 fire trucks and ambulances, and 1,800 firefighters and paramedics. The group was the first to activate a region-wide emergency telephone-based reporting system through Hotline 16016, which provides fast and easy access to fire and emergency reporting and the corresponding immediate response and assistance.

In recognition of the group’s efforts, Manila Mayor Jose Atienza through a fund-raising drive donated a 1,000-square-meter lot at the Manila Harbor Center to establish their headquarters. SM Investment Corp.’s P3-million investment was used to build the new basketball gymnasium in the building.