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DENR & SM Prime calls on cities to innovate and invest in water-saving technologies to avert water crisis

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    At the multi-stakeholder forum, “Towards a Greener Footprint”, in Iloilo City recently,  Environment Secretary  Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga shared solutions-focused guidelines to help the local government reduce carbon footprint, with emphasis on water conservation to address the looming water crisis and increase access to safe water and sanitation. From left to right: Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, journalist Ces Drilon, Secretary Loyzaga, urban planning and landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) co-chair Michaela Rossette Santo-Tayag and SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance Liza Silerio. Photo credits to Arnold Almacen/Iloilo City Office of the Mayor. The  Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)  and  SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) , one of the leading real estate developers in Southeast Asia,  recently called on local public officials to avoid the extraction of gro...

SCPW, UAPSA join hands with SM Prime in promoting wetland conservation

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  SCPW president Arch. Celestino Ulep leads a discussion on nature-based architecture during the fourth SCPW Wetland Center Design Symposium . Photo from SCPW As the world celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity 2023 , SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) joined the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW) hosted the fourth SCPW Wetland Center Design Symposium on May 29th at the MAAX Building in the Mall of Asia Complex. Bannering the theme "Build Back Biodiversity: Wetland Centers and Nature-Based Architecture," the hybrid symposium featured presentations centered on fostering knowledge and awareness about wetland conservation and innovative design approaches.  SCPW president Ar. Celestino Ulep leads the opening of the Wetland Center Design Symposium SCPW president Ar. Celestino Ulep opened the symposium by sharing his optimism on how collaboration and embracing nature-based architecture can pave the way towards creating a future where...

SM Foundation introduces rainwater harvesting for sustainable impact

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  SMFI Health and Medical Programs Senior Project Manager Albert Uy inspects the water catchment to ensure it reliability. In line with the SM Green Movement, the SM group, through SM Foundation , recently established a rainwater harvesting system at the Brgy. Irawan Birthing Facility in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The initiative aims to strengthen their goal of preserving the environment and ensuring the health and wellness of future generations. To enhance water conservation and management in the facility, the system collects rainwater from the roof and gutter, passing it through vinyl-coated mesh filters to help ensure water quality. With an 800-liter storage capacity, the harvested water serves the facility’s non-potable needs like watering plants, cleaning, and toilet flushing. The rainwater harvesting facility also operates without electricity and features labeled faucets for intuitive recycled water use. Midwife Narcisa Jagmis, who leads the said birthing facility, said t...

Coastal land reclamation: A glimpse into today’s urban development strategies

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Coastal land reclamation is increasing and will continue to grow and be a popular urban strategy in places that experience urban growth.  This is according to a study, “Mapping 21st Century Global Coastal Land Reclamation,” that analyzed landsat satellite images from 2000 to 2020 to quantify spatial extent, scale, and land use of urban coastal reclamation of 135 cities globally with populations exceeding one million. Key findings indicate that 78% of these cities have turned to reclamation to create additional land, resulting in 253,000 hectares of new land, an area equivalent to Luxembourg. Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from the sea . It’s often used in places with scarcity of land and high population density for many purposes. From Western Europe and West Africa to the Middle East, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, these countries’ cities reclaim lands for port extension, residential/commercial, and industrial purposes aimed at creating tourist and green spac...

SM Prime taps Citicore Renewables for the supply of Clean Energy

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   (From left to right) SM Prime Energy Consultant Jaime Patinio, SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Nai Peng Ong , SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, CREC Chairman Edgar Saavedra, CREC President & CEO Oliver Tan, CREC Sr. Manager Sales & Energy Trading Jerard Garcia SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) and Citicore Renewable Energy Company (CREC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 11 July 2023 as a joint commitment to champion renewable energy.   Through this partnership, SM Prime will source its energy requirements of up to 90-Megawatts (MWac) from CREC’s upcoming Lumbangan Solar Power Plant in Tuy, Batangas. The long-term agreement will commence in the first half of 2024. This is in line with the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) policies of the Department of Energy.  This development further strengthens both CREC and SM Prime's commitment to the Department of Energy's program of moving up the renewable energy supply component of the Philippines to ...

A Founder’s Dream: Urban Farming and the SM Foundation

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      SM City North Edsa This Urban Farming initiative is led by the SM Foundation through its Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP). It’s about uplifting the farmer community, fostering environmental consciousness, food security, and creating livelihood and income opportunities for marginalized urban communities. Through the KSK-SAP, a comprehensive program of urban farming techniques, product development, marketing, and basic accounting are offered in strategically-located field schools. SM City Roxas The KSK program has successfully conducted over 260 sustainable agricultural trainings, benefiting a total of 28,550 farmers. These trainings have taken place in both rural and urban settings, where participants have been exposed to sustainable farming modules that promote the cultivation of nutritious, high-quality vegetables and fruits.  SM City Clark   Partnering with the SM Foundation, SM Supermalls, and SM Markets are the follow...

SM Supermalls, Mesa ni Misis team up for the healthiest SuperMoms Meetup

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  Just in time for Nutrition Month, SM Supermalls partnered with Mesa ni Misis to celebrate the healthiest SuperMoms Meetup at the SM Megamall Event Atrium on July 22, Saturday. SuperMoms gathered once again for the biggest and grandest super momma convention, which also marked the launch of Juana’s Table , the newest recipe book by Mesa ni Misis’ Juana Manahan Yupangco. “We SuperMoms hold the power to shape the future of our children's health. By embracing a plant-based diet and introducing it to our families, we can ensure that our little ones grow up strong, vibrant, and armed with the necessary tools to lead a healthy and fulfilled life.” said Grace Magno, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Marketing.  SM Supermalls and Mesa ni Misis, through the recipe book, aimed to educate moms on the importance of healthy and sustainable eating. Written by Yupangco herself, who is a food security champion and advocate for local produce and farmers, the book is filled with h...