HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW  ABNORMAL

When the conversation turns to sustainability and ESG agendas, we’ll often hear terms such as disaster-reduction, disaster-resilient, and future-proofing; as all three form part of the framework for how corporations involved with property development in this day and age, should responsibly think, and operate. But the sad truth is that it’s easy to play lip service to the concepts, and then discover that a huge gap exists between intent and action. Bridging this gap is of the utmost importance in a country such as our’s. And let’s keep in mind that while it’s challenging enough to be doing this when speaking of one residential tower or office structure, imagine how thornier and complex the problems and concerns get when one is talking about a community, or a sizable horizontal development. I mention “of the utmost importance” because the Philippines has long been regarded as a nation that’s calamity-prone, and vulnerable to natural disasters. The World Risk Report of 2018 placed us third among highest-risk countries; thanks to the regularity of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and typhoons leading to floods. Our rainy season officially began about a month ago, and Metro Manila dwellers are only too familiar with how a strong downpour will clog up our sewers, cause flooding, and stymie traffic. The unabated movement to urban centers, and to coastal cities and towns, exacerbate the perennial issues of proper garbage collection, efficient sewerage, and danger of flooding. Unless we retrofit cities for resiliency; or from the ground up, create sustainable cities, we’ll always be looking at patchwork solutions and stopgap measures. *AERIAL VIEW of Mall of Asia: Developing a sustainable community.*
All developers know this, and it often becomes a question of how strongly will they make sustainability part of their operational DNA. In the case of SM Prime, thanks to the firm belief in a sustainability philosophy among those that lead the conglomerate, disaster risk reduction is one of the core strategies. On a regular basis, a significant 10 percent of capital expenditures is dedicated to incorporating disaster resilient features in all SM infrastructure. If it’s about “walking the walk” as well, it’s good to note that Hans T. Sy is an acknowledged leader in the private sector when it comes to disaster resilience initiatives, and was elected twice as a board member of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) ARISE International Board. He’s now co-chair for ARISE Philippines network, and concurrently co-chair for the Private Sector of the National Resilience Council. SM Prime is also a main partner of the Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR), which seeks to empower women to attain leadership status, and enhance their role in decision making in disaster risk reduction in the Asia-Pacific. *BAGUIO MAYOR BENJAMIN MAGALONG with SM representatives drinking the water from the SM Baguio rainwater catchment basin, now treated and made potable.*
In over 25 SM Malls, and in their office buildings and SMDC Residences, you’ll find rainwater catchment basins; as they champion disaster resilience via flood prevention. SM malls have been recycling used water for decades, and the treated water is utilized in watering landscapes, water closet flushing, and A/C operations. In SM Baguio, the element of circularity was further enhanced, as SM City Baguio became the prototype for rainwater treatment – turning collected rainwater into potable water for cooking and cleaning. This innovation becomes impactful as one recognizes how this stored rainwater can help supply the mall with its operational requirements for potable water. As the rainwater treating facilities are introduced to other SM Malls, it’s impact of helping conserve the municipal water supply for the citizenry, becomes part of just how responsibly SM views it’s role in the community, and how it finds ways to give back. In line with realizing the sustainability dream, the SM Smart City projects are raising the bar for sustainable development, leading the way for the aforementioned scenario of “creating sustainable cities from the ground up.” It’s where people and nature can thrive together – connected habitats linked by travel modes that highlight public and active transport. It’s about naturally ventilated buildings, water sourced locally, and intelligent energy systems that are renewable and secure. And it’s about minimizing waste, and strengthening a local circular economy. It’s a dream that needs to be realized now, and it’s us recognizing who are the best qualified and equipped, to make that dream happen.