Zambo residents frustrated SM City Mindpro cancels grand opening

SM CITY Mindpro has postponed its grand opening Friday in Zamboanga City for a still unknown reason, and frustrating shoppers who waited since October for the mall to start operating.

Mall executives also cancelled the VIP invitations it sent on the eve of the grand opening also for unknown reasons. Those invited had to cancel their busy schedules just to attend the VIP event only to be told later that it had been cancelled.

SM CITY Mindpro public information officer, Arnel Manahan, did not say why they cancelled both events. Pressed for answers whether the mall had received terror threats, Manahan told the Zamboanga Post newspaper: “No, it’s not about that. I cannot say anything more.”

But there was a report that 2 of the mall’s employees contracted Covid-19. It was unknown why SM CITY Mindpro concealed the report from the public. Ironically, the SM CITY Mindpro said it will follow strict implementation of minimum health standards using advanced, touch-free technology.

It even boasted that the mall uses “Trace Together,” an end-to-end contact tracing solution to fight the spread of coronavirus disease. Its news release added that mall-goers are required to download the digital application and must scan the QR code at all entrances using their mobile device and declare information like name, address, mobile phone number, and health condition status.

SM CITY Mindpro also said it would implement the “No Face Mask, No Face Shield, No Entry,” policy in line with the government’s health protocols and check body temperature using thermal scanners, and there are disinfectant mats and alcohol in all the mall’s entrances.

But it was unclear how or where their employees got the Covid-19.

Manahan did not say when the date of the grand opening. But the mall’s Facebook page posted an announcement saying it would open on Sunday, adding to the confusion and frustration of residents who fear there may be late changes in the schedule again.

One shopper, who passed by the mall, was also frustrated to see the sign on the façade of the building “Mindpro Supermarket” and said: “Gee, I thought it would be SM Supermarket and now it’s the same old Mindpro supermarket. I am expecting a big SM supermarket just like in Davao City or those in Manila. I guess KCC (Mall de Zamboanga) is still the best and the biggest here.” (Zamboanga Post)

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