Water Sustainability: Leading the Change at SM Supermalls

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The ripple effect of the water crisis has reached every part of the globe. According to the World Wildlife Fund, some 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion find water scarce for at least one month of the year. Worst, two-thirds of the global population may face water shortages by 2025 and ecosystems will suffer.

As the gravity of these issues becomes increasingly apparent, several countries have taken significant steps to forge a more sustainable future for the Earth. Noteworthy examples include Singapore's water management plan and The Netherlands' intricate conservation practices.

Singapore’s Desalination Plant

Source: https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/desalinatedwater

The Delta Works in The Netherlands was built by Rijkswaterstaat to protect the country against flooding from the North Sea.

Source: https://www.water-technology.net/projects/delta-works-flood-netherlands/


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 Rainwater Treatment Facility at SM City Baguio Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (right) samples the potable water from the SM Baguio rainwater treatment facility with SM SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin (left) and SM VP for Corporate Compliance Engr. Liza Silerio (center).

SM's dedication aligns with the world’s environmental sustainability and climate action goals. Rainwater catchment basins in flood-prone areas and the rainwater filtration in SM Baguio further exemplify this commitment. These significant efforts underscore the ongoing need for sustainable practices and policies.

 



A Brighter Future Ahead

The journey towards sustainable water management is ongoing. SM Supermalls, through its initiatives, paves the way for a greener, more secure future.

Learn more at SM Cares or follow SM Supermalls on social media.

PHLPost lauds honest letter carrier for returning money

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) lauded their San Mateo Post Office Municipal paid Letter Carrier Mr. Ruben Gregorio for returning the wallet containing 8,000 pesos and important IDs owned by Mr. Romeo I. Nabo, a teacher at Dulong Bayan Elementary School, San Mateo Rizal.

Since 2017, LC (Letter Carrier) Gregorio was assigned at Brgy. Pintong Bukawe, Timberland, Maarat in San Mateo, Rizal a remote and mountainous area delivering mails, parcels including PhilIDs.

According to Ms. Juliet Dawila Otadoy - Acting Postmaster (PM) San Mateo Post Office in Rizal, LC Ruben immediately returned the wallet containing money and other things he found at the Post Office. They immediately contacted the owner, Mr. Nabo who personally went to the Post Office to receive his belongings.

“We are proud that PHLPost honors him for a job well done”, PM Otadoy said.

LC Ruben is a father of four kids and married to Cristy Gregorio who is a housewife.

“Our employees prove time and again that the culture of honesty is truly present in all post offices and remote areas of the country”, Postmaster General (PMG) Luis Carlos said.

At the Post Office, his co-workers were jubilant, posting on social media a statement saying, “your excellent performance and loyalty deserves a merit of appreciation…! We are so proud of you, Keep up the good work always, God bless you”.

“A simple achievement like this will set a bigger example for others to emulate” PMG Carlos added.

SM group turns over 104th school building

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



SM scholars from Roxas City volunteer to clean the new school building ahead of its turnover.

In time for the school year opening, SM Prime through SM Foundation turned over a fully furnished two-storey building to the President Manuel Roxas Memorial Integrated School-South in Roxas City, Western Visayas.

The 104th school building made through the collaboration is built in accordance with specifications set by the Department of Education (DepEd). It holds four classrooms, each furnished with desks, chairs for left-handed students, toilets per classroom, including a special toilet for PWDs on the ground floor.

It also includes concave blackboards, electric fans, and LED lighting. Emergency lights were installed in the stairways for emergency-preparedness.

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

SMFI School Building head, Juris Soliman (center) leads the preparation if the school building turnover.

It was earlier announced by DepEd that roughly 21 million students enrolled this school year 2023-2024. Amidst this, the agency reported that only over 100,000 out of the more than 300,000 school buildings are in good condition.

Believing in the power of education in uplifting communities, SM Foundation has been an active member of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program since 2002, turning over more than 100 school buildings to grassroots communities nationwide. The said program intends to address overcrowding in schools and provide an environment conducive for learning.