September 2023

Every region of the world has been affected by the water problem. Around 1.1 billion people globally lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion experience water scarcity for at least one month of the year, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Worse, by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could experience water shortages, and ecosystems would suffer.

A number of nations have made considerable advancements toward securing a more sustainable future for the planet as the seriousness of these problems becomes more and more clear. Singapore’s water management strategy and the sophisticated conservation measures used in The Netherlands are two notable examples.

Inspiration for the Philippines

In the Philippines, a multifaceted approach has also been embraced by the public and private sectors in safeguarding and managing water resources. SM Supermalls are at the forefront of the conservation and management of water resources in its mall facilities. Its endeavors form the foundation of a more sustainable and water-secure future that the company has long been advocating.

SM’s Vision: Greening the Future

SM has been recycling water since the 1990s, treating an average of 1 billion gallons of water annually in recent years, equivalent to 1,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools. In line with the SM Green Movement, SM has been continuously working towards responsible consumption and water conservation in its properties.

To illustrate, the SM Supermalls’ comfort rooms have smart fixtures to manage water flow. There are also signages in the mall that advocate wise water use. Wastewater is channeled to the malls’ sewage treatment plants that recycle an estimated total of 4 million cubic meters of water, lessening their dependence on freshwater sources for non-potable uses. SM did this even before the measure was required by way of the Clean Water Act in 2004.

SM Mall of Asia has been involved in various sustainability and environmental initiatives, including water recycling among others.

SM Supermalls utilizes recycled wastewater from the mall for irrigating its gardens.

SM Malls have “Save Water” signages that typically aim to create awareness about water conservation and inspire people to take simple actions to reduce their water consumption

Recently, SM took a step further in resource management by launching the first-ever water filtration system at SM City Baguio. This facility can turn collected rainwater into potable water for mall tenant use such as washing and cooking as well as dishwashing and handwashing, allowing the mall to further lessen its dependence on the freshwater supply of the Baguio community.

SM took a step further in resource management by launching the first-ever water filtration system at SM City Baguio.

The commitment of SM is consistent with global environmental sustainability and climate action objectives. This dedication is further demonstrated by rainwater collecting basins in flood-prone areas and the rainwater filtration system at SM Baguio. These noteworthy initiatives highlight the continued requirement for sustainable practices and legislation.

A Future with More Hope

The path to sustainable water management is still being traveled. Through its activities, SM Supermalls paves the road for a more secure and environmentally friendly future.

Visit SM Cares for more information or follow SM Supermalls on social media.

Leading real estate developer in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s GUUN Co. Ltd. to explore a potential partnership to implement waste management solutions by recycling waste paper and plastics as an alternative source of energy called ‘fluff fuel’.

One kind of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) made from compressed and shred plastics, paper, and fibers is called fluffy fuel. These are utilized as fuels in Japanese power plants, paper mills, and cement producing facilities.

Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime, is confident that a collaboration with GUUN will advance the nation’s waste reduction goals. He claimed that Japan has some of the most cutting-edge waste management and recycling systems in the world right now. There is no better partner for SM because we don’t just say we’re huge, we make sure we are; we don’t just say we’re environmentally friendly, we actually take big steps to protect the environment. I’m excited to advance with GUUN as one of the pioneers in the Philippines’ fight against environmental problems.

The Yokohama City, Japan-based GUUN Co., Ltd., which was established in March 2001, recently opened its P200 million, 2,400 square meter waste recycling facility in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu. In 2014, the company experimented the manufacturing of fluff fuel from plastic trash in Inayawan, Cebu.

Since then, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has adopted GUUN’s waste-to-fuel technology as a model for advanced low-carbon technology innovation for further deployment in developing countries.

“This will be a milestone partnership for us,” GUNN Chief Executive Officer Shinji Fujieda said after the signing ceremony. “I understand very much how important waste management is for SM and for the Philippines and we look forward to more projects we can do with the properties of SM Prime.”

SM Prime’s initiatives for waste management include waste reduction and effective waste collection and segregation. Over the years, it has implemented programs such as Trash to Cash, Plastic Waste Collection, and E-Waste Collection that have contributed to reducing the total solid waste generation across its real estate portfolio.

Through its pioneering Trash to Cash recycling market, SM Prime has collected and recycled 1.4M kg of plastics, paper, metals, and others in 2022. “We have saved 16,766 trees from the 986,222 kg of paper recycled,” SM Prime disclosed in its 2022 Integrated Report to shareholders.

In the meantime, 42,541kg of plastic garbage from 14 mall locations have been collected by SM’s Plastic garbage Collection program, a cooperation with the Plastic Credit Exchange that was established in February 2021. The E-Waste Collection program for the responsible disposal of WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is also available in all 83 SM Supermalls. The amount of e-waste processed thanks to this initiative was about 7,000 kilos.

Together with other private sector volunteers, PCPPI supports GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Kapuso 20/20 Eye Project last August 2023 (Sight Saving Month). Optometrists performed free eye check-ups among beneficiaries of the two medical missions held in Sampaloc Elementary School in Quezon Province and at the GMA Network Studio in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Volunteers and beneficiaries received Premier Purified Water as complimentary beverages during the event. Through this initiative, more Filipinos had better access to proper eye care and treatment. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) recently partnered with GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMA KF) for the Kapuso 20/20 Eye Project last August to mark Sight Saving Month.

PCPPI donated 2,000 bottles Premier Purified Water, which were distributed during the two medical missions held at the Sampaloc Elementary School in Quezon Province and GMA Network Studio in Quezon City. The medical missions included free eye check-up and a short seminar, which benefited more than 200 participants. There were also 48 students from Sampaloc Elementary School who received prescription glasses during the event.

The program aims at promoting eye health and care, in light of increased gadget and technology use, which affects one’s vision. Gracing the events were GMA KF Ambassador and Special Adviser Mel Tiangco and GMA KF Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Ms. Rikki Escudero-Catibog.

Premier Purified Water is PCPPI’s trusted water brand. With its clean taste and standard quality, it is a good drink for hydrating the body especially when engaged in several activities. It is available in 350 ml, 500 ml, and 1L (PET) in stores nationwide.

Visit www.pepsiphilippines.com for more information about PCPPI.

“I desire to become an educator not just to fulfill a dream but also to be a blessing to the next generation.”

Princess Eunice Motel, 18, an SM scholar who is currently continuing her education at the Philippine Normal University, offers these motivational comments. She is one of the two kids born to Richard, a set man from Caloocan City, and Hildajane, an on-call factory re-packer.

Princess has had a lifelong goal to become a teacher, one that has been ingrained in her heart and mind since she was a young girl. The more she embraced her Christian religion, the clearer this calling became.

“My unwavering commitment to becoming a teacher is directly inspired by the Kidz Life Ministry, a cherished initiative of our church dedicated to teaching children about God’s word. I aspire to be a vessel for sharing knowledge, instilling hope, and nurturing a brighter future for the next generation,” she said.

To pursue her dreams, Princess has chosen to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at the Philippine Normal University, her dream institution. “PNU is renowned for its ability to nurture exceptional teachers,” she remarked. “As I aspire to become an educator, I also strive for greatness and excellence, and there’s no better place to achieve that than at PNU.”  

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Jhona Bolinas is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education with English as her major. Born in Baliuag, Bulacan, she passed entrance exams at other universities but opted to enroll at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela due to its proximity to her family.

Despite considering other career paths, Jhona opted education, drawing inspiration from her mother, who is also an educator. “Watching, observing, and listening to her, I learned the basics,” she shared. Driven by her love for reading and writing, she also chose to specialize in English.

When asked if she plans to work abroad after graduation, Jhona keeps her options open, recognizing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “But right now, I want to ensure that my mother enjoys a good life before making such a significant decision,” she explained.  

Another aspiring educator is Krissa May Oquindo. Her father, a cable technician, is the family’s sole breadwinner while her mother dedicates her time to caring for the family. Krissa completed her senior high school education at the Universidad de Manila. She applied to four State universities and ultimately chose to enroll at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), known for producing graduates highly sought after by employers, as per a recent survey.

When asked about her motivation to become a teacher, Krissa responded, “Being an educator has always been my passion. From the moment I set foot on a school campus, the idea of standing in front of students and sharing knowledge excites me.” She has selected Science as her major to deepen her understanding of the subject and to enlighten others about it.

Krissa has no plans to teach abroad. She believes that while there is demand for teachers overseas, the same holds true in the Philippines: “My passion for teaching is rooted in caring for the next generation, especially for the youth of our country.”

The SM college scholarship program has helped 3,791 graduates enroll in more than 120 partner schools and institutions around the country over the years. These scholars benefit from complete tuition reimbursement, monthly stipends, seasonal part-time employment options, job offers from the SM Group after graduation, and stimulating extracurricular activities.

SM’s tech-voc scholarship program has also graduated 4,669 students, which has helped to enhance the development of qualified professionals in a variety of sectors

The President Manuel Roxas Memorial Integrated School-South in Roxas City, Western Visayas, received a fully equipped two-story building from SM Prime through the SM Foundation in time for the start of the school year.

The collaboration’s 104th school building is constructed in accordance with guidelines established by the Department of Education (DepEd). It has four classrooms, each equipped with desks, chairs for left-handed students, and restrooms, one of which is designated for people with disabilities (PWDs) on the ground floor.

Concave blackboards, electric fans, and LED lighting are also included. To be prepared for emergencies, emergency lights were installed in the stairways.

Supporting DepEd’s commitment to ensure that learners have access to water for hygiene and sanitation, SM Foundation installed a handwashing facility along with liquid soap for the community’s use.

To further assist, the SM group will help with the maintenance and upkeep of the said school.

Social Good

DepEd previously reported that around 21 million students would be enrolled for the 2023–2024 academic year. Only 100,000 out of the more over 300,000 school buildings are in good condition, according to the agency, despite this.

Since 2002, the SM Foundation has participated actively in DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program, handing over more than 100 school buildings to grassroots communities around the country. This is because the organization believes in the transformative power of education. The aforementioned program aims to reduce classroom overcrowding and create a supportive environment for learning.