HATAW! D'yaryo ng Bayan hatawtabloid.com
Executives Shaking Hands. SM Supermalls and VFS Global leaders seal the partnership with a handshake during the MOA Signing at SM Supermalls Headquarters. Left to Right: Mr. Royston Cabunag, SM Supermalls AVP for Government Services Express, Mr. Steven Tan, SM Supermalls President, Mr. Atul Lall, VFS Global Regional Head for North Asia and Mr. Syed Shahen Shah, VFS Global Country Manager for Brunei and the Philippines.
SM Supermalls and VFS Global have formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to bring the first world-class visa and travel documentation services directly to select SM malls—offering Filipinos unprecedented convenience, accessibility, and a more seamless customer experience.
The partnership enables VFS Global, the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, operating 3,987 application centres across 165 countries, to now offer visa applications, biometrics, appointment scheduling, and passport-related services inside SM malls. With SM’s nationwide network of 89 malls and over 5.2 million daily visitors, these services instantly become more accessible to millions of Filipinos.
SM Supermalls and VFS Global executives officially sign the Memorandum of Agreement, marking a new partnership that brings visa and travel services closer to Filipinos.
SM Supermalls President Steven Tan highlights the company’s commitment to service accessibility and customer convenience as he and VFS Global executives discuss the upcoming rollout of VFS service centers in SM malls.
During his welcome remarks, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan emphasized how the collaboration elevates SM’s commitment to serving communities beyond traditional retail. “Our malls have evolved into trusted community spaces where every day needs are met with ease and dignity. This partnership with VFS Global brings essential travel and documentation services right where people already are—inside their neighborhood SM mall. By hosting VFS Global service centers, we’re not only simplifying travel requirements, but we’re further strengthening SM’s role as a hub for convenience, public service, and meaningful access. This collaboration opens new doors for Filipinos and brings world-class service even more within reach.
VFS Global Regional Head for North Asia, Mr. Atul Dushyant Lall, delivers his speech with excitement and optimism, sharing how the partnership will make travel documentation easier and more accessible for Filipinos.
This initiative reflects SM’s commitment to bringing essential services closer to the public by transforming malls into centralized hubs for government, travel, and community-based services. With this first-of-its-kind rollout, SM and VFS Global continue to create opportunities that make everyday life easier, more efficient, and more empowering for Filipino families.
Atul Lall, Regional Head – North Asia, VFS Global, said, “It’s a great honour for VFS Global to partner with select SM malls across the Philippines offering our fellow Filipino customers a seamless application submission experience. VFS Global remains committed to putting customers first, ensuring the easiest, smoothest visa application experience possible. Through continuous innovation and advanced technology, we simplify processes, enhance security, and improve convenience. By partnering with world-class companies, we bring the best global expertise together to deliver reliable, efficient, and future-ready solutions for governments and travelers worldwide.”
Executives from SM Supermalls and VFS Global gather for a commemorative photo following the signing ceremony, celebrating a strategic partnership aimed at making travel documentation simpler and more accessible for the public.
About SM Supermalls Government Services
Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls strengthens its commitment to public service through the Government Service Express (GSE) program. GSE brings essential government transactions closer to communities by hosting key agencies in one-stop hubs nationwide—from ID applications and permits to registrations and renewals. By building strong partnerships with institutions and expanding access across its mall network, SM ensures services remain convenient, safe, inclusive, and accessible for every Filipino.
About VFS Global
As the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.
With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 70 client governments. Operating over 3,900 Application Centres in 165 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 519 million transactions* since 2001.
Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with minority stakeholders including Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation.
*Comprised of 327 million transactions by VFS Global and 192 million transactions by CiX Citizen Experience
