SM Prime prepares for a resilient future

 

The effects of the 7.7 magnitude earthquakes in Myanmar and the aftershocks in Thailand continue to be seen months after the events. The ultimate question is asked: Are we prepared for “The Big One”?

As one of the most vulnerable countries to disaster and climate risk, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), the leading integrated property developer in Southeast Asia, continues to reinforce its commitment to disaster resiliency and heightened climate action. 

The role of education

To increase the capacity of readiness within the institution and its communities, SM Prime continues to advocate for emergency preparedness and the general public’s continued education. 

SM Cares, SM Prime’s foundation arm, facilitates the annual Emergency Preparedness Forum to help mallgoers learn about emergency procedures, putting importance on staying calm to reduce panic and anxiety, basic first aid, life-saving techniques, and preparing senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) in an actual emergency. 

Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are vulnerable during emergencies and disasters because of anxiety, health, and mobility limitations.

As the largest and fastest-growing residential sector developer, SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s disaster preparedness training, Ready to Rescue, covers essential topics from fire and earthquake drills to water safety and first aid training programs to help residents face an emergency should it arise. 

SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s first aid and water safety training help residents respond effectively until first responders arrive.

Through SM Prime’s role within the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies Philippines (ARISE-Philippines), training and education opportunities on disaster risk reduction and resilience are made more accessible within the local network. 

Together with ARISE Japan and India, two of the largest in the global community, knowledge sharing on the latest technologies in disaster risk reduction helps toward understanding large-scale disaster prevention and identifies opportunities for further improvement and response.

ARISE India, Japan, and the Philippines during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).

Collaborations for the climate

In a Climate Fresk Workshop with The Transmutation Principle, SM Prime, together with host SM Hotels, gathered friends from the corporate and non-profit sustainability space to learn more about the science behind climate change–its drivers, mechanisms, and consequences–including mitigation, adaptation, and circular economy principles.

Sustainability champions from corporate and non-government agencies together for a Climate Fresk Workshop at the SMX Convention Center Aura.  

“It was an exciting and valuable experience for us, given our advocacy for climate change resilience. The workshop succeeded in making it more accessible and relatable, particularly for individuals who are already aware of its effects on their respective industries,” says Oscar M. Lopez (OML) Center participant Charmaine Vitan. 

The gamified workshop originated from a French non-profit organization and is based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. Facilitated by local Philippine Freskers, it teaches the fundamentals of climate science – mapping key interdependencies between nature, biodiversity and human activities to ‘solve’ the complex narrative of climate change. The workshop was held at the SMX Convention Center Aura. 

“It invited everyone--not just one sector--to collaborate and participate in fields of knowledge that are seemingly not connected at all. To quote a groupmate, the immediate causes and effects of market actions are clear, but the bigger picture is clear when we collaborate with one another,” says World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines participant Joaquin Campos. 

Building a resilient tomorrow 

Always ahead of the curve, SM Prime strategically looks beyond the current industry needs and focuses on what can reduce risk and build long-term value. 

For SM Prime, an Environmental, Social, Governance, and Resilience (ESG + R) strategy ensures that the company is building for the security of future generations. SM Prime continues to focus its efforts on infrastructure resilience, disaster risk management strategies, readiness and swift response, and capacity building to create institutional readiness and help educate and shape public awareness. 

“Resilience is a way of life. It is a commitment to ensure that we act on our responsibility to care for others so that no one is left behind,” said Mr. Hans Sy, SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman. 

SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy addresses members of ARISE Philippines during the first annual general meeting for 2025. 

Empowered to Protect: April Coastal Cleanups: SM By the BAY Empowers 272 Volunteers to Clean Over a Ton of Trash in April Coastal Cleanup Drive

True to its commitment to environmental stewardship, SM By the Bay mobilized 272 employees and volunteers to collect 1,147 kilograms of trash throughout the month of April as part of its weekly coastal cleanup efforts.

 

 Volunteers from SM Supermalls—including employees, customer relations staff, and janitorial personnel—come

together after a successful coastal cleanup at SM By the Bay, united by a shared commitment to protecting our oceans and building a #SMWasteFreeFuture.

 

Held every week along the Manila Bay shoreline, the cleanup drives were led by SM employees, customer relations staff, and janitorial personnel, reinforcing the company’s call for collective, community-driven action. Beyond restoring the coastline’s natural beauty, the initiative also helped raise awareness of ocean conservation and environmental responsibility.

 

The campaign continues to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water, which emphasizes the protection of marine life and coastal ecosystems from pollution and degradation. As plastic and debris continue to threaten ocean biodiversity, efforts like these demonstrate that consistent community engagement can create long-term impact.

 

 

SM volunteers in action during the April coastal cleanup at SM By the Bay,        Over a ton of trash collected by SM volunteers during the April working together to remove marine debris and protect our shoreline—one bag      2025 coastal cleanup at SM By the Bay—each bag a step at a time.         closer to a cleaner, healthier marine environment.

 

 

 

Participants from SM Supermalls take part in the April cleanup   Step by step, bag by bag—SM employees move with purpose at SM By the Bay, showing that teamwork and purpose go a               along the SM By the Bay, turning their mornings into a long way in protecting coastal communities. meaningful mission for the environment.

 

Through a spirit of volunteerism and purpose, the initiative also promoted camaraderie among SM stakeholders, who worked together toward a #SMWasteFreeFuture.

 

To sustain this momentum, SM Cares is inviting the public to join the upcoming Coastal Cleanup in celebration of World Oceans Day on June 7, 2025. 

 

Participating malls include:

SM By the Bay, SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Rosario, SM City Batangas, SM City Lipa, SM City Bacolod, SM City Iloilo, SM City Davao, SM City CDO Downtown, SM City Tanza, SM City Lucena, and SM Center Dagupan.

 

Let’s continue making every bag of collected trash count—because caring for the Earth begins with our shores.

SM Supermalls champions MSMEs at SM Dagupan's Bangus Festival Food Fiesta

Dagupan sizzled with pride, flavor, and Filipino flair as SM Center Dagupan brought the heat to the city’s iconic Bangus Festival with its dynamic Bangus Festival Food Fiesta and up-to-70% summer sale, all while proudly championing local entrepreneurship through SM for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

In a city known as the Milkfish Capital of the Philippines, the annual Bangus Festival was more than just a celebration — it was a heartfelt tribute to the hardworking people and rich culture that made Dagupan shine. And this year, SM Center Dagupan didn’t just join the party — it elevated it.

In the photo: SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Royce Cabunag (5th from left), with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representatives led by Atty. Joseph Manuel Pamittan (center), along with the MSMEs, at the launch of the Bangus Festival Food Fiesta at SM Center Dagupan in Pangasinan.

From April 25 to 30, SM shoppers and festival-goers enjoyed a feast for the senses with flavorful bangus-inspired delicacies, cultural exhibits, and handcrafted local products — all made possible by MSMEs proudly featured under the SM for MSMEs program.

Freshly packed dried fish from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) attract food lovers.

“The Bangus Festival is a celebration of everything that makes Dagupan special — resilience, creativity, and community. By spotlighting our MSMEs, we’re helping bring their passion and products to a wider audience,” shared Joaquin San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing, SM Supermalls.

Local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) proudly display their finest bangus products.

In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), this event emphasized the role of entrepreneurship in regional growth — proving that when local businesses thrived, communities flourished.

The Bangus Festival Food Fiesta showcases the best of local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) offerings.

Beyond the food fiesta, mallgoers dove headfirst into the Bangus Festival Sale, where summer finds were up for grabs at up to 70% off — a perfect blend of shopping, savings, and celebration.

The SM for MSMEs initiative continued to be a cornerstone of SM Supermalls’ advocacy to uplift small businesses across the country. By supporting festivals like Bangus, SM reaffirmed its commitment to empowering local talents and traditions, ensuring that Filipino pride and enterprise went hand-in-hand.

A local vendor showcases their delicious bangus treats.

About SM Supermalls 

SM Supermalls, owned by SM Prime Holdings, is the leading mall developer and operator in the Philippines. As a steadfast advocate for MSMEs, SM Supermalls is dedicated to helping Filipino entrepreneurs succeed. Join our thriving marketplace across 80+ malls nationwide. Visit www.smsupermalls.com/sm-for-msmes/ to download your MSME application or email us at customercare@smsupermalls.com with your most innovative product and preferred location. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your business with SM Supermalls today! 

SM Supermalls hosts COMELEC Mall Voting on May 12

Heads up, voters! The countdown to the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections has begun—and this year, casting your vote just got a whole lot easier.

Voters fill the venue at SM North EDSA during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in 2023.

In partnership with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), SM Supermalls is proud to roll out the Mall Voting Program (MVP) in 20 select SM malls nationwide, bringing democracy closer to home—literally.

Gone are the days of sweltering heat and overcrowded school gyms. This May 12, eligible voters assigned to MVP locations can head to their designated SM mall to vote in a secure, accessible, and air-conditioned environment. Whether you’re a busy parent, a working professional, or a senior citizen looking for comfort and ease, the MVP is designed to improve your voting experience—one step (or escalator ride) at a time.

Who Can Vote in the Mall? 

Only voters whose precincts were officially transferred to a mall. This is indicated in the final list from COMELEC.

How Can I Confirm If I Vote in a Mall? 

Check any of the following: 

• precinctfinder.comelec.gov.ph 

• Your Voter Information Sheet (VIS)

• Mall posters or tarps 

• Barangay caravans or your local COMELEC office

Voting Hours at the Mall: 

• 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM — Priority: Seniors, PWDs, Pregnant voters

• 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM — Regular voting hours

Can I Bring Someone to Help Me Vote? 

Yes, a relative (up to 4th degree) or Electoral Board member may assist.

Can My Companion Vote at the Mall Too? 

Only if their precinct was also officially transferred to the same mall.

Here’s a list of the participating SM Supermalls where you can conveniently vote this coming May 12:

1. SM City Manila

2. SM City North EDSA

3. SM City Fairview

4. SM City Sucat

5. SM City Bicutan

6. SM City BF Parañaque

7. SM City East Ortigas

8. SM City Southmall

9. SM City Cauayan

10. SM City Baliwag

11. SM City Tarlac

12. SM City Batangas

13. SM City Santa Rosa

14. SM City Puerto Princesa

15. SM City Legazpi

16. SM City Iloilo

17. SM City Consolacion

18. SM CDO Uptown

19. SM CDO Downtown

20. SM City Butuan

SM Supermalls offers a convenient mall voting experience for the 2025 elections, with 20 SM malls where people can vote.

From Luzon to Mindanao, SM Supermalls is proud to open its doors—rent-free—for the benefit of Filipino voters. And don’t worry, COMELEC’s got the backend handled: trained election personnel, full compliance with electoral rules, and tight coordination for logistics and security.

Why mall voting works

The goal? A smoother, more inclusive voting experience—especially for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant voters. Think ramps, elevators, comfortable seating, and spacious voting areas—all in a familiar and accessible setting.

“We believe democracy should be inclusive, convenient, and secure,” shared Junias Eusebio, Vice President for Mall Operations at SM Supermalls. “By offering our malls as voting venues, we’re not just making it easier to vote—we’re helping empower every Filipino to make their voice heard.”

People sit and observe the proceedings, awaiting the election results at SM North EDSA.

Democracy meets convenience

This isn’t SM’s first time teaming up with government agencies. Through the SM Government Service Express (GSE), select SM malls already offer one-stop access to services like ID processing, permits, and more. The MVP is yet another way SM Supermalls is stepping up to serve the public in meaningful ways.

Plan ahead

Eligible for mall voting? Expect an official advisory from COMELEC about your assigned voting venue. Then, on May 12, head to your designated SM mall, bring a valid ID, and vote with ease.

Let’s all do our part—vote smart, vote safe, and vote comfortably.

Find your precinct number easily at precinctfinder.comelec.gov.ph. 

For more info and real-time updates, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media.

About SM Supermalls Government Services
SM Supermalls' Government Service Express (GSE) makes essential government services more accessible to Filipinos by bringing key agencies together in select malls nationwide. This one-stop hub offers ID applications, renewals, business registrations, permits, and more—all within a safe and convenient mall environment. Through strong partnerships with government agencies, SM Supermalls champions efficiency, inclusivity, and ease of access, redefining public service to better serve communities.