SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, posted a 46 percent drop in consolidated net income to P10.4 billion in the first half of 2020 from P19.3 billion in the same period last year.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, SM Prime said its consolidated revenue for the first six months of 2020 registered a 23 percent decline to P43.7 billion from P57.0 billion in the first six months of 2019.

SM Prime said it continues to innovate and strategize to recover from the unprecedented effects of the pandemic brought about by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) including continuous support in the operations of tenants as well as assistance to various stakeholders across the country.

“The first half of 2020 has been one of the most challenging periods we’ve faced as a company. With the government maintaining the implementation of quarantine protocols in most key areas in the Philippines where our businesses are, SM Prime is committed to sustaining its operations while adhering to the strict safety measures implemented by the government and continue providing convenience to our customers,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim.

SM Prime’s Philippine malls’ rent income dropped by 44 percent to P13.1 billion in the first half of 2020 from last year’s P23.3 billion on the back of lower mall revenue of P14.4 billion, 49 percent lower from P28.1 billion of the same period last year.

This is driven primarily by waived rent and rental discounts granted to tenants since the start of the quarantine measures in March, which amounted to P11 billion as of end of June.

SM Prime’s residential business, led by SM Development Corporation (SMDC), recorded P23.7 billion revenue in the first half of 2020, 11 percent higher from P21.4 billion in the same period last year. This accounts for 54 percent of the consolidated revenue of the Company.

SMDC generated P42.4 billion reservation sales in the first six months of 2020, amidst the quarantine measures.

SM Prime’s commercial properties business’ revenue has grown 16 percent to P2.5 billion in the first half of 2020. Operating income registered at PHP2.2 billion, 22 percent higher than P1.8 billion during the first half of the previous year.

The offices business of SM Prime has business process outsourcing (BPO) offices as primary tenants, which were allowed by the Philippine’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to continue its operations throughout the quarantine period.

The hotels and convention centers business segment contributed P1 billion to consolidated revenues in the first half of 2020 despite limited operations.

Conrad Manila, Park Inn Clark, Park Inn North EDSA and Park Inn Iloilo remained operational to cater to BPO employees and returning overseas Filipino workers/seafarers.

The Company’s biggest events center, the Mall of Asia Arena, on the other hand, was converted into Mega Swabbing Facility in partnership with various government agencies to help front- liners as well as

returning overseas workers.

“The Company is doing its part to help the country to contain the spread of the virus. For our employees and agency workers, we have conducted antibody rapid testing and RT- PCR testing during the start of GCQ in the country to assure the safety and uninterrupted delivery of services to customers and to protect its workforce,”Lim added.