SM Prime, Bureau of Fire launch Search for Ten Outstanding Firefighters

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reaffirmed their commitment to fire safety and protection through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony held on June 27, 2024, at the SM Prime Headquarters.

(L-R): SM Supermalls’ Vice President for Corporate Compliance Group Liza Silerio, SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, and Bureau of Fire Protection Director Louie Puracan

The MOA highlights SM Prime’s recognition on the critical role of the BFP in maintaining public safety, economic stability, and peace and order through the launch of the yearly search for the Ten Outstanding Firefighters of the Philippines.

SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim (second from left) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Director Louie Puracan (second from right) shake hands to signify their commitment to the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), with SM Supermalls’ Vice President for Corporate Compliance Group Liza Silerio (left) and BFP Chief Superintendent Renato Capuz (right) serving as witnesses.

SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim expressed his pride in the commitment to honoring outstanding firefighters. “The Awards aim to celebrate the heroism and bravery of BFP members who have made fire service their vocation, contributing to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the Philippines,” stated Mr. Lim. “This is the first awards we in SM Prime have launched, signifying the importance of your heroic role in DRR for the whole of Philippine society.”

SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy (left) discusses fire safety matters with Bureau of Fire Protection Director Louie Puracan (right), while SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim (second from right) and SM Supermalls’ Vice President for Corporate Compliance Group Liza Silerio (second from left) look on.

SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim and Bureau of Fire Protection Director Louie Puracan engage in a discussion on further enhancing fire safety measures during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony.

Nominations for the awards will begin in July 2024, with the awarding ceremony scheduled for December 2024. The top 10 awardees will receive a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of PHP 250,000 each while ten finalists will each be awarded PHP 20,000.

SM Prime executives and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) members join forces to promote fire safety and disaster preparedness in communities.

The MOA signing paves the way towards a safer future for Filipino communities. The combined efforts of SM Prime and the BFP will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening fire resilience in the Philippines. (SM Supermalls)

The Journey Begins: Together for an #SMWasteFreeFuture

June 5, 2024, World Environment Day. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, embarks on a unified waste management and segregation campaign in response to the growing global crises on waste.

Generation Restoration: A community towards an #SMWasteFreeFuture. SM Supermalls tenants showing their support while holding up their Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable (RDC) posters.

In a united show of support, SM Prime brings all its property groups and stakeholders toward an #SMWasteFreeFuture for the launch at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA).

The #SMWasteFreeFuture program promotes behavioral changes in waste management through effective waste segregation via Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable, or RDC. It aims to achieve two primary objectives: (1) Reduce overall waste generation by implementing effective waste segregation practices, and 2) Enhance waste diversion rate by diverting a greater proportion of waste away from landfills through recycling, composting, and other sustainable disposal methods.

A Show of Support

During the launch, SM Supermalls Vice President for Compliance, Ms. Liza B. Silerio, welcomed the attendees and stressed the importance of segregation at source for supporting a circular economy.

Ms. Liza Silerio, DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones, Mr Hans “Chico” Sy Jr., and Mr. Steven Tan, pressing the green light for an #SMWasteFreeFuture.

“We, at SM, stand in solidarity with this global movement. We are committed to a unified waste management and segregation campaign that involves all our property groups and stakeholders, propelling us toward a Waste-Free Future here at SM,” she said.

For a waste program to work, it will involve collaborative efforts in all sectors. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga, gave her message of support through her representative, Atty. Jonas Leones, DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs.

Award-winning actress, singer, Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and founder of Planet CORA, Antoinette Taus, gave her message of support and treated the audience to her rendition of Heal the World.

“We have made significant strides toward a shared goal for a more sustainable future. With programs such as the #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign that helps raise awareness and encourage participation for more businesses to reduce waste generation and contribute to waste diversion rate, I am optimistic that the Philippines will reach the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) target of recovering and diverting 80% of plastics by 2028,” he said.

The Countdown to an #SMWasteFreeFuture

Addressing the audience, Sustainability Champion and SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation President Hans "Chico" T. Sy, Jr. emphasized, “We have to be open to new ways of doing things and of putting into action every little step that’s crucial for advancing waste management solutions,” he said.

Bin it right! Mallgoer throwing her plastic water bottle in the recyclable bin.

“This is a small step in a long journey. This is a learning process and it will not be perfect. We highly encourage all of you to give us feedback,” he said. Sy further emphasizes that, “This project is not specific to one organization, but one that belongs to an entire society. We welcome everyone to practice this in their everyday lives.”

Sy encourages the youth and the audience. “Now it’s up to you and every individual here in attendance, to embrace the cause of change. We are given the opportunity to work on the biggest problems of our community when the planet truly needs it. Let’s not waste this opportunity,” he said.

The highlight of the MOA launch was a live countdown with the symbolic press of a button onstage by Mr. Hans “Chico” Sy, Mr. Steven Tan, DENR Underesecretary Jonas Leones, and Ms. Liza Silerio, that green lighted the renowned MOA Globe to signal the start of a journey for an #SMWasteFreeFuture.

About #SMWasteFreeFuture

#SMWasteFreeFuture is the company’s waste strategy to encourage green practices in resource management, environmental impact, and most importantly, the social well-being of the community for a waste-free world.

Mallgoers can also head to their nearest Cyberzone areas to dispose their old gadgets and electronic waste properly. The Electronic Waste Collection Program encourages proper disposal of e-waste since 2021.

SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future.

To learn more about #SMWasteFreeFuture and RDC, visit the site: https://www.smprime.com/sustainability/smwastefreefuture/ (PR)

SM Prime Embarks on a Unified Waste Management Program for an #SMWasteFreeFuture

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, is embarking on a unified waste management and segregation campaign in response to the growing global crises on waste. SM Prime aims to bring all its property groups and stakeholders toward an #SMWasteFreeFuture.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), humanity generates more than 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which 45 percent is mismanaged. Without urgent action, municipal solid waste will double to almost 4 billion tons each year by 2050. On December 14, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste.

The largest haul and biggest participation to-date: The 38th International Coastal Clean-up had 17,000 volunteers across 15 SM Malls in 12 locations nationwide. It is an annual community-driven partnership between SM Supermalls, SM Cares, the DENR, LGU’s and the volunteers from the SM community.

The following year, UNEP inaugurated the First International Day of Zero Waste, to bolster actions to address the global pollution crisis. It aims to encourage global action and bring the world’s attention to zero waste.

Strong foundations
SM Prime’s founding leader, Henry Sy, believed that “business growth and social development must go hand in hand.” The company follows this guiding principle and has formed a sustainability policy that commits to the following: Resource Conservation and Efficiency, Disaster Resilience, Climate Advocacy, Social Integration, and Transparent Reporting.

Scaled to perfection: One of the first recycling markets the country, Trash-to-Cash’s valuable example that waste can have monetary benefits. The recycling market is held every first Friday and Saturday of the month in all SM Supermalls to encourage waste segregation and recycling among SM customers, tenants, and the community. The recycling market is open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Anchored on these sustainability commitments are the SM Supermalls’ Environmental Programs on Waste Management. Through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, SM Supermalls has pioneered longstanding programs such as the Trash to Cash recycling market, and provided support to the annual International Coastal Clean Up, among other national events.

Closing the loop: SMHCC’s sustainability efforts are anchored on the 7Gs or Seven Green Goals, based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). The overall thrust for sustainability is cascaded to the rest of properties, ensuring that it is embedded at every step of the hotel’s operations, ensured by property Sustainability Champions.

In the hotel and tourism sector, SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) has taken the lead in mitigating global food waste by implementing sustainable initiatives across its properties in the Philippines. Their key initiatives include the World Wide Fund for Nature’s Sustainable Diner Program, aiming to transform and help the food service sector minimize its impact on the environment thru resource efficiency, plastic refusal and food waste management and contribute to the world’s future food security.

To support these programs, SM Prime also recently unveiled its waste-to-fuel partnership with GUUN Co. Ltd. (GUNN) to implement the Japanese technique of reducing landfill impact. The technology converts non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle packaging into alternative fuel.

No time to waste: Sorting through the amount of trash at the GUUN Facility in Cebu. Unfit for recycling and reuse, the waste material recovered avoids the landfill and is then reconverted to fuel resource.

 

A Vision for an #SMWasteFreeFuture
To mark the International Day of Zero Waste on March 30, 2024, SM Prime is releasing its vision for an #SMWasteFreeFuture. “As a community, we strongly believe in our ability to contribute to solving today's waste issues,” said Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr., President of SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation (SMEDD) and SM sustainability champion.

SM Prime’s announcement of its vision of an #SMWasteFreeFuture demonstrates the company’s strong commitment and sustainability stewardship, by inviting its stakeholders to engage in activities that will help spread zero-waste awareness and work for a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach on waste management.

“We understand that this may seem like a daunting challenge to overcome However, by joining forces, we can create a world that our future generations truly deserve – if we have the courage to take on this journey together,” said Sy.

SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future. (SM Supermalls)