SM Group receives 12 Stevie Awards for reporting and community programs

“People experience a mall through the things they do there, not through what we say about it,” said . “A place to read, an event that brings local art to more people, or a program that makes the mall easier to use can make a practical difference to a community.” ~Steven T. Tan, SM Supermalls President

The SM Group received 12 Stevie Awards for parent-company reporting and community and shopping center initiatives at the 2026 International Business Awards.

Four awards were given to SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM Group. It won Gold Stevies for its 2025 Integrated Report in the Best Annual Report (Publicly Held Corporations) and Conglomerates (Large) categories.

Its 2025 Sustainability Report won Bronze for Best Sustainability Report. In addition, the Asia, Australia, and New Zealand Sustainability Initiative of the Year competition awarded the SM Sustainability School Bronze.

“Clear reporting gives investors and other stakeholders a better view of how we make decisions, manage the business and plan for the long term. The other awards show how that same sense of responsibility is carried through by our businesses in the communities they serve.” ~Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments

That work can be seen across the eight awards received by SM Supermalls.

The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition won Gold in the Brand Experience of the Year (Consumer) category, while the Find Your SM campaign took home Silver.

The SM Green Movement won Silver for Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility. The SM Cares Coastal Cleanup program received a Silver Award for Environmental Achievement, and SM Cares: A Mall for All received a Silver Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

The SM Cares Book Nook won bronze for the Most Ingenious Creative Project. The project establishes spaces in shopping malls where people can read and share books. Furthermore, the Empowering Communities campaign won the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year award for Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

SM Mindanao Art raised public awareness of Mindanaoan artists and their works by taking home bronze in the Corporate and Community (Community Engagement Event) category.

The two-month judging event attracted more than 300 business professionals. The winners were chosen based on the average scores.

The International Business Awards, now in their 23rd year, recognize companies, executives, entrepreneurs, and teams worldwide.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation (SM) is an owner-operator of market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property, with investments in high-growth opportunities in the Philippine economy. Through its portfolio, SM generates resilient cash flows and reinvests with discipline to compound value over the long term.

Its retail operations are the largest and most diversified in the country. Its property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines. Its banking interests include BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, one of the country’s largest private domestic banks.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

SM Remains on Track to Cut Emissions by 40% by 2040

“When we looked at our emissions, we identified where we could make meaningful reductions and developed a target supported by specific programs and investments. We wanted a goal that reflects what we can achieve based on actions we are taking today. For us, sustainability helps reduce costs, improve reliability, and make our operations more resilient. It's simply part of how we run the business.” ~Timothy Daniels, Consultant and Head of Sustainability and Investor Relations at SM Investments

Thanks to investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other company-wide initiatives, SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM Group, said it is still on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2040.

At a recent MUFG NOW Manila forum, "Pathways to a Sustainable Future: Opportunities and Challenges," Timothy Daniels, Consultant and Head of Sustainability and Investor Relations at SM Investments, said that the company's emissions reduction goal builds on years of investment in efficiency and renewable energy across the group.

Over 200,000 solar panels have been installed on the group's properties, assisting in the production of electricity and lowering reliance on grid power.

At the Malubog Reservoir in Cebu, a three-hectare floating solar facility is run by its mining subsidiary, Carmen Copper Corporation. About 10% of the mine's power requirements could be met by the 4.99 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy produced by the facility's 8,540 solar panels.

Through the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), which runs geothermal steam fields in South Luzon, SM has also increased its investments in renewable energy. In addition to its own operations, the group is assisting the country's energy transition through BDO Unibank. 

BDO has supported 71 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 6,165 MW by investing approximately Php1.2 trillion in sustainable financing thus far.

Daniels noted that some of the largest reductions in emissions will require a broader shift to renewable energy. Businesses can install solar panels, use renewable energy, and boost efficiency, but progress also depends on grid development, transmission infrastructure, and renewable energy availability.

SM Group raises renewable energy sourcing to 31% in 2025

“For us, investing in renewable energy is both a sustainability and business decision. It helps us manage long-term energy costs, improve operational efficiency and build more resilient businesses to help us better serve our customers, tenants, communities and other stakeholders. Reliable and affordable energy is important not only for businesses but also for communities and the broader economy. We believe renewable energy, particularly geothermal, can help strengthen long-term energy security while supporting economic growth.” ~Frederic C. DyBuncio, SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer

The SM Group operates the country’s largest rooftop solar panel network nationwide among property developers. Its investment in renewable energy started in 2014 with the very first installation of solar panels in SM North EDSA.

According to SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM Group, the Group boosted its renewable energy sourcing to 31% of total power consumption in 2025, up from 27% in 2024, as it continued to encourage cleaner energy use throughout its subsidiaries.

The Group received roughly 730 million kWh of electricity from renewable energy sources throughout the course of the year.

370,644.07 metric tons of carbon emissions were avoided by switching to renewable electricity, which is the same as taking around 296,954 electric passenger cars off the road for an entire year.

The Group's broader renewable energy strategy is overseen by the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), a fully-owned subsidiary of SM Investments. It now operates the Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Albay, supplying geothermal steam capable of producing up to 400 megawatts of clean, renewable energy to power residences, businesses, and industrial facilities continuously. 

 

The Tiwi steam field in Albay is one of PGPCs geothermal sites

PGPC is developing new geothermal sites in six locations around Luzon that might provide the country with an additional 400 megawatts of clean, renewable geothermal energy. 

The Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in Laguna and Albay alone may provide enough geothermal steam annually to power up to a million homes.

The Group's integrated activities continue to see an increase in the utilization of renewable energy. Over 200,000 solar panels have been put on 69 properties by SM Prime Holdings, Inc. as part of its broader energy conservation initiatives.

The Group's transition to renewable energy is becoming more and more reflected in its broader business environment. 

The Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC)’s Mak-Ban steam field located in Batangas and Laguna is one of the company’s sites supporting a stable, low-carbon renewable energy production. 

Alfamart's Saraiya Distribution Center in Quezon Province now has solar panels with a 120.28 kWp solar peak capacity, which will improve the operating efficiency of the supply chain network.

The Group's banking divisions continue to assist sustainable finance initiatives in the meantime. BDO Unibank, Inc. would have contributed PHP 1.21 trillion to sustainable initiatives by the end of 2025, including 71 renewable energy projects for PHP 177 billion. Energy access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency initiatives received PHP72 billion from China Banking Corp. in 2025.

Sustainability and operational efficiency are still included into the Group's retail, real estate, banking, and portfolio investments, according to SM Investments.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation (SM) is an owner-operator of market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property, with investments in high-growth opportunities in the Philippine economy. Through its portfolio, SM generates resilient cash flows and reinvests with discipline to compound value over the long term.

 

Its retail operations are the largest and most diversified in the country. Its property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines. Its banking interests include BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, one of the country’s largest private domestic banks.

 

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com 

The synergy behind SM's disaster response

“We were at the forefront during that time na tumutulong. In fact, as soon as tumigil ang pagyanig nung time na ‘yun, all hands on deck na kami. Hindi ko pa nun alam kung ano yung OPTE, pero ‘yung mga kasama ko sa mall, sabi nila, may opportunity para makatulong dun sa mga nabaha nearby. Sabi nila, ‘sama tayo. Nung inabutan namin, umiyak siya nang umiyak. Sabi niya, hindi siya makapunta dun sa barangay hall kasi binaha ang bahay niya... Sabi niya, parang akala niya, makakalimutan na siya. Pero ang saya-saya niya na pinuntahan namin siya, na may pag-asa. It’s really great to be part of a team, a group that is able to support and help the community in good times and in bad times.” ~Andrea Rodriguez, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Head for Pampanga

In a country that suffers an average of 20 typhoons per year and is susceptible to earthquakes, communities in the Philippines often face the challenging task of having to rebuild lives overnight. Cooperation becomes crucial in these circumstances, especially for thousands of Filipinos whose lives have been completely upended by natural disasters.

For the SM Group, assisting communities in getting back on their feet is more than just a responsibility; it is a shared commitment embedded in its service culture. At the heart of this effort is the SM Foundation's disaster response program, Operation Tulong Express (OPTE).

OPTE brings together dedicated volunteer teams with the shared objective of assisting those in need. It is carefully supervised by the SM Foundation, SM Markets, and SM Supermalls. Workers at SM Markets construct Kalinga Packs in warehouse hubs that act as packaging centers while SM trucks and vans transport the goods to the affected areas. Employee volunteers from the foundation and SM Supermalls personally provide supplies in the spirit of bayanihan. They also support medical missions that offer free consultations, first aid, and medication in more badly impacted areas.

For Andrea Rodriguez, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Head for Pampanga, service is rooted in lived experiences, especially since her family was among those affected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Years later, she witnessed devastation firsthand during the 2019 earthquake that affected her province and the rest of Luzon.

Her first OPTE experience came earlier when, as a new SM employee, flooding hit communities near the San Fernando mall. One of her most vivid memories was when they provided support to an 80-year-old resident in a remote barangay in Angeles following widespread floods during the pandemic.

According to Ana Datu, Regional Operations Head for Bulacan and CAMANAVA, the company’s strong culture of helping others has shaped the way employees live and work. Because of this, lending a hand has become second nature.

“We normally conduct OPTE in basketball courts so that mas marami ‘yung mapuntahan namin. But we also take time to go to the eskinitas — na kung minsan may naiiwan na mga bata at matatanda. Kapag nakita mo sila, parang may lungkot. ‘Nakalimutan kami, naiwan kami kasi nandun sila lahat sa basketball court. But when they see us there with the Kalinga Packs at inabot mo ito sa kanila, they feel ‘Wow! Hindi kami nakalimutan. These are the people who remember us.’ When I joined SM, I learned that community service and social responsibility are a big thing here. It has been a culture. It has been a habit. And it's not difficult to imbibe this because you see it, and it transcends. It starts from the leaders, trickling down to the entire team. So, everybody's moving. If you see the environment and the environment forges you to help and to be empathetic to the plight of everyone surrounding the community, surrounding the mall, your community; then mai-imbibe mo siya.” ~Ana Datu, Regional Operations Head for Bulacan and CAMANAVA

Regional Operations Head Ana Datu delivers essential relief to a flood-impacted resident, embodying the spirit of SM's volunteerism. She ensures even those in hard-to-reach areas feel: "Wow! Hindi kami nakalimutan."

Both Ana and Andrea highlighted how volunteering shaped their outlook on work and in life.

A heartfelt embrace from a CAMANAVA resident receiving essential relief. By reaching deep into communities, SM volunteers ensure those affected feels remembered and supported, embodying the commitment of OPTE.

Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), a social good collaboration of SM Foundation, SM Supermalls and SM Markets, is the group’s disaster response initiative that provides immediate relief and essential goods to communities affected by calamities. In heavily impacted areas, it also deploys medical missions that offer basic healthcare and first aid.

SM Investments declares special dividend for the first time

“This marks the fourth straight year of dividend increases. We remain committed to delivering returns for our shareholders while strengthening the long-term value of the company.  We are grateful for their continued trust and confidence, which has been instrumental in driving our growth.” ~Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments

The main company of the SM Group, SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), announced a 44% increase in shareholder payouts from PHP9 per share in 2024 to PHP13 per share in 2025. This increase is made up of PHP11 per share in regular dividends and PHP2 per share in special dividends.   The action demonstrates the business's ongoing commitment to generating and distributing value to its owners.

The raise was approved by the Board of Directors at the annual stockholders' meeting of SM Investments.  The dividends will be paid on May 29, 2025, to shareholders who were listed on May 16, 2025.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com