SCPW and UAPSA collaborate with SM Prime to promote the preservation of wetlands

The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW) and SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) collaborated to host the fourth SCPW Wetland Center Design Symposium on May 29 at the MAAX Building in the Mall of Asia Complex as part of the world’s celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2023.

The hybrid symposium’s topic was “Build Back Biodiversity: Wetland Centers and Nature-Based Architecture,” and its talks were all focused on raising awareness of wetland conservation and cutting-edge design techniques.

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 wetlands thrive and biodiversity flourishes.

Notable experts in the field also graced the event, sharing their insights and experiences including Chris Rostron, the global manager of Wetland Link International, and Alex Hughes of Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in London, UK. The guest speakers kicked off the discussion by sharing about the pivotal role of Wetland Centers as a tool for Communication, Capacity Building, Education, Participation, and Awareness (CEPA) in wetland conservation efforts.

Arch. Ulep, meanwhile, engaged the audience by introducing the concept of nature-based architecture, highlighting the importance of prioritizing sustainability and harmony in design by creating structures that seamlessly integrate with the natural environment.

Meanwhile, Arch. Aaron Lecciones, SCPW Special Projects Officer, made a detailed visual presentation on the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) Design Team’s experience. He highlighted the challenges and triumphs of designing a wetland park, serving as a source of inspiration for aspiring designers and architects.

Esteemed partners, including Ms. Rida Reyes Castillo of SM Prime, Dr. Arvin Diesmos of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Mr. Laudemir Salac of DENR-Region 3, and Arch. Gleo Raymundo of UAPSA graced the event to show their full support for this endeavor.

“It is an honor and privilege on the part of SM to partner with the SCPW and UAPSA in realizing its common goal of protecting ecosystems, particularly wetlands, by inspiring the youth to engage and take action on the socio-civic and economic issues in their communities by finding workable solutions towards building a sustainable future,” SM Prime AVP and Head of Marketing, PR, and Communications Rida Reyes Castillo said.

Castillo went on to say that SM Prime believes in the power of nurturing the younger generation’s passion to creating a sustainable future and that environmental protection and nature conservation are essential pillars of their sustainability strategy.

The symposium came to a close with an in-depth discussion of the regulations and requirements of the design competition, which was followed by an open forum and participant brainstorming. The symposium also signaled the start of the eagerly awaited 4th SCPW Wetland Center Design Competition, which aims to provide talented students in the building and design industries with a stage on which to demonstrate their abilities and creativity while inspiring them to address environmental problems with sustainable solutions.