Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are vulnerable during emergencies and disasters because of anxiety, health, and mobility limitations.
Months after the events, the aftershocks in Thailand and the 7.7-magnitude earthquakes in Myanmar are still having an impact. The most important query is posed: Are we ready for “The Big One”?
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), the top integrated property developer in Southeast Asia and one of the most catastrophe and climate risk-vulnerable nations, keeps reaffirming its dedication to disaster resilience and increased climate action.
The role of education
To increase the capacity of readiness within the institution and its communities, SM Prime continues to advocate for emergency preparedness and the general public’s continued education.
SM Cares, SM Prime’s foundation arm, facilitates the annual Emergency Preparedness Forum to help mallgoers learn about emergency procedures, putting importance on staying calm to reduce panic and anxiety, basic first aid, life-saving techniques, and preparing senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) in an actual emergency.
As the largest and fastest-growing residential sector developer, SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s disaster preparedness training, Ready to Rescue, covers essential topics from fire and earthquake drills to water safety and first aid training programs to help residents face an emergency should it arise.
SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s first aid and water safety training help residents respond effectively until first responders arrive.
Through SM Prime’s role within the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies Philippines (ARISE-Philippines), training and education opportunities on disaster risk reduction and resilience are made more accessible within the local network.
Together with ARISE Japan and India, two of the largest in the global community, knowledge sharing on the latest technologies in disaster risk reduction helps toward understanding large-scale disaster prevention and identifies opportunities for further improvement and response.
ARISE India, Japan, and the Philippines during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).
Collaborations for the climate
In a Climate Fresk Workshop with The Transmutation Principle, SM Prime, together with host SM Hotels, gathered friends from the corporate and non-profit sustainability space to learn more about the science behind climate change–its drivers, mechanisms, and consequences–including mitigation, adaptation, and circular economy principles.
Sustainability champions from corporate and non-government agencies together for a Climate Fresk Workshop at the SMX Convention Center Aura.
“It was an exciting and valuable experience for us, given our advocacy for climate change resilience. The workshop succeeded in making it more accessible and relatable, particularly for individuals who are already aware of its effects on their respective industries,” says Oscar M. Lopez (OML) Center participant Charmaine Vitan.
The gamified workshop originated from a French non-profit organization and is based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. Facilitated by local Philippine Freskers, it teaches the fundamentals of climate science – mapping key interdependencies between nature, biodiversity and human activities to ‘solve’ the complex narrative of climate change. The workshop was held at the SMX Convention Center Aura.
“It invited everyone–not just one sector–to collaborate and participate in fields of knowledge that are seemingly not connected at all. To quote a groupmate, the immediate causes and effects of market actions are clear, but the bigger picture is clear when we collaborate with one another,” says World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines participant Joaquin Campos.
Building a resilient tomorrow
Constantly ahead of the curve, SM Prime proactively considers what might lower risk and increase long-term value rather than just what the industry need right now.
An Environmental, Social, Governance, and Resilience (ESG + R) plan for SM Prime guarantees that the business is constructing for the safety of coming generations. In order to establish institutional preparedness and aid in educating and influencing public opinion, SM Prime is still concentrating its efforts on catastrophe risk management techniques, infrastructure resilience, preparedness and quick reaction, and capacity building.
SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy addresses members of ARISE Philippines during the first annual general meeting for 2025.
“Resilience is a way of life. It is a commitment to ensure that we act on our responsibility to care for others so that no one is left behind,” said Mr. Hans Sy, SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman.
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