For SM Supermalls, resilience is more than just operational readiness—it's a cornerstone of its sustainability vision. Recognizing that sustainable development hinges on safe, secure, and prepared communities, SM Supermalls views the promotion of resilience as a fundamental responsibility to the businesses that power the economy.

Central to this commitment are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Often the most vulnerable to disruptions from natural and human-caused hazards, these businesses are nevertheless vital to the national economy, driving job creation, local commerce, and livelihoods. Understanding their significance, SM Supermalls prioritizes the cultivation of a resilient MSME sector.

Across its network, nearly 70 percent of SM Supermalls’ tenants are MSMEs, operating under tailored lease agreements that acknowledge their specific needs. Beyond providing physical space, SM fosters an environment that values preparedness and long-term business continuity.

A key initiative in SM Supermalls’ resilience efforts for its MSME tenants is its dedicated Business Continuity Planning (BCP) program, launched in 2024. This capacity-building program empowers businesses to develop customized BCPs and implement adaptive measures to mitigate the impact of disruptions.

SM provides its tenants with complimentary access to 5GB of remote digital storage for securely saving critical business documents, including their BCPs, permits, registrations, and insurance policies. This seamless access in the event of a disaster accelerates insurance claim processing and facilitates a faster return to operations.

To amplify its impact, SM Supermalls forged a public-private partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through a Memorandum of Agreement in 2024. Collaborating with ARISE Philippines, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)-affiliated private sector alliance for disaster resilience, the partnership aims to equip 6,000 MSMEs with robust BCPs by the end of 2027.

This collaboration is jointly spearheaded by DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona and Bureau of Small Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED) Director Emma Asusano, alongside SM Supermalls’ Corporate Resilience Department. Their shared objective: to bolster the resilience of MSMEs nationwide through proactive preparedness.

A significant component of this initiative is the SM-DTI Calamity Recovery (CARE) Booth, activated in malls within disaster-affected communities. These booths serve as readily accessible support centers for MSMEs needing post-disaster assistance, offering a practical and timely response mechanism that bridges public resources and private sector needs.

Furthermore, SM Supermalls, in partnership with DTI, regularly conducts BCP workshops for MSMEs in centralized SM locations across various regions. Open to both SM tenants and DTI-assisted MSMEs, these sessions introduce business owners to diverse disaster risks and provide step-by-step guidance in developing their own tailored BCPs, considering their unique operational nature and geographical context. The workshops also include BCP testing and validation phases to ensure practical effectiveness.

Participants are given one month to finalize their BCPs, which require business management approval and submission to the DTI. Since the program’s inception in September 2024, over 1,500 MSMEs have already completed the training, with more sessions planned in the coming months.

“Resilience is not built overnight, and requires education, commitment, and collaboration across different sectors. Knowing this, SM Supermalls continues to invest in long-term resilience not just for its business, but for the broader ecosystem of MSMEs it supports,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “In doing so, we are reinforcing the fundamental truth that sustainable progress is only possible when communities and businesses are prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow.”