Under its philanthropic arm, SM Foundation has recently taken a significant stride towards environmental sustainability by implementing a rainwater harvesting system at the Brgy. Irawan Birthing Facility in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. This initiative stands as a testament to SM’s commitment to address the pressing concerns of water conservation, water security, and the augmentation of water sources across the nation.
This innovative rainwater harvesting system, boasting an impressive storage capacity of 800 liters, signifies a remarkable advancement in water resource management within the facility. The system efficiently captures rainwater from the facility’s rooftop and gutter, channeling it through specialized vinyl-coated mesh filters. These meticulous filters ensure that the collected rainwater maintains a quality suitable for non-potable applications, such as irrigation, cleaning purposes, and toilet flushing.
Buoyed by the success of this endeavor in Palawan, SM Foundation is embarking on a strategic expansion of this endeavor to upcoming health centers situated in Laguna, Baguio, and Cebu. This extension highlights SM’s unwavering dedication to sustainable practices and its determination to positively impact communities by addressing critical environmental and resource-related challenges.
As the Philippines braces for an impending El Niño episode in the upcoming months, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been fervently advocating for proactive actions from the government, private sector, and the Filipino populace to safeguard the nation’s water security. Demonstrating its longstanding commitment to this cause, SM has been at the forefront of water conservation efforts since the 1990s, recycling an impressive average of 946 million gallons of water annually. Aligned with the ethos of the SM Green Movement, the corporation has remained dedicated to responsible consumption and water preservation, primarily through its chain of SM Supermalls.
Within its arsenal of sustainable practices, SM Supermalls has integrated rainwater catchment systems across 25 malls situated in flood-prone regions. This innovative approach involves the collection of rainwater, which not only benefits the malls themselves but also extends a helping hand to neighboring communities by mitigating flood risks. These catchment basins have the capacity to accumulate a substantial 79,257 cubic meters of rainwater, an amount equivalently vast as nearly 32 Olympic-size swimming pools.
In a striking leap toward ingenuity, SM City Baguio takes an unprecedented stride by introducing a pioneering water filtration system. This system ingeniously converts harvested rainwater into potable water, rendering it safe for consumption. By implementing this technology, the mall transforms into a self-reliant water source, thereby diminishing its reliance on the water supply of the Baguio community.
As the nation faces potential water scarcity due to the anticipated El Niño impact, these initiatives underscore SM’s unwavering dedication to fostering sustainable practices that not only fortify the organization’s operations but also resonate with the broader goal of environmental preservation.
“In response to the government’s urgent call for water conservation and the diversification of water sources as a preemptive measure against water insecurity resulting from climate change, SM proudly positions itself at the forefront of championing this noble cause. Guided by resource efficiency and preservation, SM Supermalls has proactively integrated these principles into the design and operation of our malls,” stated Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance at SM Supermalls and Program Director for the Environment at SM Cares.
Fe Consuelo S. Angeles Ganuelas, Senior Assistant Vice President for Health and Medical Programs of SM Foundation, added, “Our commitment to sustainability initiatives is a matter of great pride. We are dedicated to our aspiration of safeguarding the environment and ensuring the well-being of generations to come.”
SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, stands as an embodiment of these values, fervently endorsing endeavors that benefit communities and the environment alike. In addition to Environment-focused Programs, SM Cares extends its influence to initiatives pertaining to Children & Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly campaign.
To delve deeper into the scope of these impactful initiatives, please visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.
