The newly opened SM City La Union becomes the 30th SM mall to install a rainwater catchment system, supporting thousands of residents in flood-prone areas and demonstrating how business innovation protects communities.
Proactive flood protection has become essential to creating resilient communities as climate change causes heavier rainfall and more frequent floods.
Today, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) has expanded its network of climate-resilient infrastructure across the country with SM City La Union, its 30th mall with a rainwater harvesting facility. Large amounts of stormwater are collected and stored in catchment facilities for SM Supermalls, avoiding runoff that may otherwise overwhelm drainage networks.
During heavy rainfall, the catchment temporarily holds stormwater, allowing gradual discharge through proper channels. Collectively, SM City La Union’s underground rainwater catchment system can provide a total capacity of 760 cubic meters.
A design for tomorrow. SM Supermalls focuses on sustainable water use by managing available resources to meet the needs of future generations.
Every drop helps make everyone’s future safer and more sustainable. Freshwater consumption is greatly reduced by treating and reusing water as a supplemental water source, as well as by mapping every possibility to accomplish Water for Tomorrow. From 4.42 million cubic meters in 2023 to 5.59 million cubic meters in 2024, SM Prime’s recycled water volume increased by 26.23%.
Just as crucial as the physical infrastructure is social resilience. SM Cares empowers community action by increasing knowledge of water conservation and implementing sustainable practices in daily life.
“Our rainwater catchment systems go beyond flood control — they help create safer spaces for our communities. We hope to show how climate-smart infrastructure and innovation can protect lives, livelihoods, and progress,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.
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