By supporting the Water for Tomorrow Campaign, SM Prime promotes sustainability

“As businesses face growing water challenges, we must take action to secure our Water for Tomorrow. Water stewardship is an investment in our future. We must move beyond conservation and prioritize resource protection, waste reduction and water security for future generations.” ~Hans T. Sy, SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman

SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s Sea and Shore Residences donate their treated wastewater to green the landscape of the Estates in Mall of Asia Complex.

With freshwater resources being strained by rising urbanization and population increase, one of the most urgent issues of our day is access to clean and drinkable water.  Effective water management is essential for both the environment and civilization, according to the United Nations (UN)-Water.

Since the early 1990s, long before water stress and its connection to climate change were generally acknowledged, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a prominent integrated property developer in Southeast Asia, has placed a high priority on water conservation and management.

In order to ensure responsible resource management and promote the welfare of the people it serves, SM Prime actively incorporates climate resilience into its initiatives through its water stewardship campaign, Water for Tomorrow.

Sustainable water management

SM Prime's building operations incorporate effective management systems and water conservation methods.  To lower freshwater consumption and the need for municipal water supplies, the corporation makes significant investments in sustainable water management technologies.  In order to address the growing problem of water security, it has identified innovative and realistic water usage practices. 

Sixty-one percent of SM Prime's reported 7.2 million cubic meters of water use in 2023 came from recycling. 

Mall operations typically use over 1 billion gallons of recycled water.  Recycled water is used by SM Supermalls for air conditioner tower cooling, plant and landscaping maintenance, and cleaning and sanitation. The mall's water usage is also controlled with low-flow fixtures and water-saving technologies with efficient plumbing. 

The group as a whole has scaled these practices.  Greywater is recycled by sewage treatment systems located in the Mall of Asia Complex's E-Com Centers for SM Offices.  In addition to rainfall collecting devices that support the upkeep of its urban gardens, the Sea and Shore Residences of SM Development Corporation (SMDC) provide their treated wastewater discharge to the greening of the MOA Complex's estates. 

The Pico Sands Hotel's freshwater usage was cut by 36% as part of SM Hotels and Convention Corporation's water conservation program, resulting in 52% water reuse and 41% for Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club. Since 2010, its water desalination plant, which serves all developments that call Hamilo home, has had a major impact on water management and sustainable eco-tourism in conjunction with Hamilo Coast, SM Prime's luxury and recreational estates in Nasugbu, Batangas. 

Protecting water resources 

SM Prime supports this year’s UN-Water World Water Day 2025 on March 22, which focuses on the theme “Glacier Preservation.” 

Glaciers, which are found halfway around the world, are essential to the global water cycle.   About 69% of the fresh water on Earth is stored in glacial ice, making it the greatest freshwater reserve.  The world faces a water crisis that will impact the most vulnerable due to accelerated glacial melting, changing rainfall patterns, droughts, and rising sea levels.

SM Prime keeps incorporating water-efficient solutions into its real estate projects since it understands these difficulties and the necessity of a consistent water supply.  This promotes appropriate water use among mall patrons, tenants, staff, and communities while also raising public awareness.  To lessen reliance on freshwater sources, SM Supermalls opened the SM City Baguio rainwater treatment facility (RTF) in 2023. It is still operational and providing services to its host community after turning 17,000 cubic meters of rainwater into drinkable water. 

SM Prime’s Water for Tomorrow program plays a key role in SM Prime’s sustainability strategy, along with Net Zero by 2040 and a Waste-Free Future. 

SM Approaches 2025 with Cautious Optimism

“Any moderation in inflation should trigger a strong confidence rebound. This could create opportunities in consumer-focused sectors in the country and we are poised to cater to these evolving demands. By investing and expanding to more areas nationwide, SM creates new markets and improves access to these essential sectors, serving more communities and helping stimulate sustained economic activities. Our focus for 2025 will be to drive purposeful growth, empowering communities and partners through our investments towards a sustainable future.” ~Mr. Frederic C. DyBuncio, SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer

Encouraged by the Philippine economy's sustained growth, the SM Group is looking forward to the upcoming year with cautious optimism.

Mr. Frederic C. DyBuncio, SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer

SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said that despite ongoing challenges of peso volatility and higher inflation, the business sector has adapted well. 

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, household spending was maintained in the third quarter due to consistent demand. Household Final Consumption Expenditure posted a 5.1% year-over-year growth, staying at the same level from the same quarter the previous year. 

In order to meet the increasing demand, SM keeps growing into more underprivileged areas, promoting sustainable economic growth and working with government partners to improve access to integrated real estate developments, contemporary retail, and financial services.

Mr. DyBuncio added that SM keeps funding promising projects that stimulate the economy, like logistics and renewable energy. 

Through the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), which generates 300 Megawatts of geothermal steam supply, SM has made investments in the clean energy sector. SM wants to support the Department of Energy's objective of having 50% of its energy come from renewable sources by 2040 by continuing to develop geothermal concessions through PGPC. 

SM Prime Holdings, SM's real estate division, teamed up with GUUN Co. to promote circularity in the production of green energy. Ltd. (GUNN) to apply the Japanese method of lessening the impact of landfills. Packaging that is difficult to recycle or non-recyclable is turned into alternative fuel by the technology.

One of the biggest contributors to renewable energy projects is BDO Unibank, SM's banking division. As of December 2023, BDO has invested PHP898 billion in sustainable finance, which includes loans to 59 renewable energy projects.  

In terms of tourism and logistics, the development of transportation networks throughout the nation's archipelago links industrial and tourist destinations, fostering inclusive growth. By launching MV Masigla and MV Masikap in 2024 through its subsidiary 2GO, SM further supports the government's push for medium-term growth through improved tourism infrastructure and ecosystem by improving the connection of goods to 19 ports nationwide, including Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo.

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 

DOE recognizes SM Prime for its efforts in renewable energy and resource conservation

“These awards affirm SM Prime’s commitment to sustainable operations that benefit both the environment and our communities. We are proud to contribute to a greener future through our active energy conservation.” ~Engr. Hans Sy, Jr., SM Engineering and Design Development President

SM Center Pulilan receives award in the Large Building Category at the recently held Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards.

One of the biggest integrated real estate developers in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), won major honors at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Sustainable Energy Awards and Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards.

SM Prime won awards at the Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards for SM Center Pulilan's Large Building Category and SM City Tanza and SM City Tuguegarao's New and Existing Building Category. Following the submission of the nominees' Annual Energy Utilization and Annual Energy Efficiency and Conservation Reports, the three malls were awarded under the Energy Management in Industries and Buildings division.

The DOE evaluates the businesses' energy savings and application of the Policy on Energy Management Systems in what are known as the EEE Awards. Through the extensive use of energy-efficient fixtures and equipment, such as Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting, building management systems, and building insulation to reduce electricity consumption, the awards showed SM Prime's dedication to appropriate energy management.

Since the Sustainable Energy Awards took place at the same time as the department's Renewable Energy Market (REM) full commercial operations were ceremoniously launched, DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin oversaw the awarding for both events.

Department of Energy (DOE) – Energy Utilization Management Board Director Patrick Aquino (seventh from left) with SM Engineering Design & Development (EDD) Vice President for Operations Engr. Teodoro Bautista, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance Engr. Liza Silerio, SM Prime Holdings Vice President for Internal Audit Marvin Perrin Pe, along with representatives from SM Center Pulilan, SM City Tanza, and SM City Tuguegarao.

Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Sharon Garin congratulates SM Engineering Design & Development (EDD) Vice President for Operations Engr. Teodoro Bautista for SM Mall of Asia (MOA)’s win of the first DOE Sustainable Energy Award for private institutions.

In the Philippines, SM Mall of Asia (MOA), the flagship mall of SM Prime, defeated other establishments to win DOE's inaugural Sustainable Energy Award for a Private Institution. Installed on top of the complex's parking structures, SM MOA's solar photovoltaic system—which consists of 40 inverters and 10,426 solar panels—is its most notable renewable energy feature. 

With a peak energy output of 2.7 megawatts (MW), the system can supply 1,790 households with electricity for a full year. As of right now, 35 SM Supermalls have solar panels installed on their roof decks, with a peak energy output of 44 MW. 

Most SM Supermalls take part in DOE's Interruptible Load Program (ILP), contributing 110MW of electricity to each ILP activity. With SM MOA offering the highest committed capacity at 15.92 MW, SM Prime makes the biggest contribution from the private sector.

Renewable energy and appropriate waste management are key components of SM Prime's objective to reach Net Zero by 2040. Together, they support national goals that will help the Philippines move toward a better and more promising future.  

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available for an alluring device cash-out of PHP 1,863 per month for 24 months with Globe's All-new Platinum GPlan 3799 for those looking for a premium experience. For some customers renewing their plans, the device will be charged to their bills, and for some credit cards, there will be a 0% installment option. Customers also benefit from priority delivery and stock as part of your Platinum advantage.

True unlimited data, unlimited all-net text and calls, including to landlines, access to local airport lounges (through PAGSS and Plaza Premium), Platinum-only benefits and privileges, and 24/7 Facebook Messenger access to Thea of Globe Platinum to help with any Globe or lifestyle needs are all included in this premium package.

With the promo code GLOBE10, Globe is offering a 10% discount on iPhone cases bought online through their partnership with Casetify. The offer is valid until December 31, 2024, and there is no minimum purchase amount needed.

Consumers can pick up their iPhone 16 from any Globe Store in the country, where a committed staff is available to guarantee a satisfying and easy shopping experience.