SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) launched a series of exhibits focusing on the sustainability and disaster resilience especially those related to addressing climate change at The Annex Event Center in SM City Davao on Thursday.
Dubbed “Connecting today to tomorrow,” the exhibit, which will run from February 24 to March 6, 2022 at SM City Davao’s Annex Event Center and March 7 to 20, 2022 at the second level of the mall, will feature sustainability and resilience initiatives of SM Prime Holdings and DOST.
“Our major challenge now is climate change and a solid scientific consensus supports the idea that climate change causes typhoons to occur more frequently and contributes to stronger storms. For us here in the Philippines, which is considered to be one of the most vulnerable countries to disasters globally, this is very alarming,” said Oliver John R. Tiu, vice president of SM Supermalls for Mindanao Operations, in his speech during the launch.
“As one of the country’s leading and trusted integrated property developers, SM Prime Holdings takes its responsibility to the environment and community seriously. While we underscore the importance of ensuring livelihood, business continuity and economic prosperity, it is equally – if not, more importantly – that efforts to protect the environment are in place,” Tiu said.
He said SM Prime Holdings’ programs on sustainability and resilience are anchored on key pillars such as energy efficiency, water resource management, waste management, biodiversity, supporting communities and disaster risk reduction.
The company has also able to pursue initiatives that promote solid waste management such as Trash to Cash and Electronic Waste Collection wherein plastic wastes that will be collected from Plastic Waste Collection in SM City Davao will be recycled to turn into useful products like chairs, tables, and blocks with the help of its partner, Plastic Credit Exchange.
The company also conducted tree planting programs in Suawan and Upper Kibalang, which span 44 hectares in combined property size, in Marilog District as part of SM’s Grow a Million Trees Project, which do not only involve planting of trees, but also create job opportunities to its partner communities.
Meanwhile, Anthony Sales, regional director of DOST 11, said the exhibit aims to encourage Dabawenyos to be proactive in seeking solutions for the growing challenges being faced today.
Sales cited some programs of DOST that aims to educate and empower communities that include the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND).
SETUP is a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist MSMEs in adopting technological innovations. It aims to enhance operational efficiency, and boost productivity and competitiveness.
GRIND Program provides opportunities to stimulate overall growth of the country by utilizing community-led solutions geared towards sustainable development. The DOST is taking the lead towards fostering an innovation culture starting in the communities.
“DOST 11 as an agile and proactive organization strives to provide excellent public service, inspire and transform communities through science, education, engineering, technology and innovation for the inclusive and sustainable development of Mindanao through our flagship programs,” he said.
Sales added that DOST’s RND (research and development) and innovation output programs and projects are employed as setting tools and solutions to build a resilient community of SMEs and grassroots communities.
SM Prime holdings is one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia that offers innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities with the development of malls, residences, offices, hotels and convention centers. It goes beyond mall development and management through its units and subsidiaries.
