SM Retail gets NPC award for exemplary privacy management program

THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) awarded SM Retail, the retail subsidiary of SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), with the Privacy Management Program Award during the recently concluded National Data Privacy Conference in Parañaque City, recognizing the company's consistent and structured efforts in upholding data privacy standards across its operations.

PRIVACY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AWARD (From left) Lawyers Reinier Jeffrey Abdon, SM Retail DPA Compliance; Rafael Kieran Monday, SM Retail DPA Compliance; Nerissa De Jesus, Deputy Privacy Commissioner, National Privacy Commission; John Henry Naga, Privacy Commissioner and Chairman, National Privacy Commission; Honeylin Castolo, Vice President, SM Retail; Leyson San Juan, Assistant Vice President and Data Protection Officer, SM Retail DPA Compliance; and lawyers Jose Amelito Belarmino II, Deputy Privacy Commissioner, National Privacy Commission; and Ivin Ronald D.M. Alzona, Executive Director, National Privacy Commission. SM RETAIL PHOTO

The Privacy Management Program Award is given to organizations that demonstrate effective implementation of privacy policies, proactive risk management, and clear accountability structures in line with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

SM Retail was cited for its internal training initiatives, integration of privacy practices into day-to-day operations, and for embedding Data Protection Officers within its business units.

These measures have contributed to building a strong data protection culture among employees and improving safeguards for customer information.

"We're grateful for this recognition from the NPC, and we share this accolade with everyone at the SM Group. An effective data privacy management program hinges on strong leadership, active stakeholder engagement, dedicated privacy champions in critical DPA areas, embedded DPOs within the business, and practical, layman-friendly training rooted in real-world scenarios," SM Retail Vice President Honeylin Castolo said.

The Privacy Management Program of SM Retail conducts Data Privacy Awareness training on top of the continuous cybersecurity education for its employees.

"This was made possible by the efforts of our Data Privacy Compliance Team led by Leyson San Juan, the data protection officer of SM Retail Inc. and the full support from our different business units," Castolo shared.

The Data Privacy program of SM Retail is closely monitored by rating agencies as part of SM's environmental, social, and governance or ESG performance.

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