How SM Malls Protect Communities During Calamities

For over 30 years, SM Prime has been committed to disaster resilience innovations. Find out how SM malls protect communities during calamities such as the floods from Carina.

SM Prime renews its commitment to integrating sustainability into its projects as it marks its 30th year as a publicly-listed company. On the back of the devastating floods from the enhanced monsoon and typhoon Carina, the company highlights how it has long been working with the government and the private sector for disaster risk reduction through SM malls infrastructure.

SM Prime Holdings executive committee chairman Hans T. Sy spoke about how the company has been supporting resilience in the communities it is present in. He said, “Resilience is not just a word, it is a way of life. It is a commitment to ensure that we act on our responsibility to care for others and that no one is left behind.”

SM Supermalls has put this directive into action by effectively mitigating flood risks in the communities it is present in through the infrastructure of its malls. 

A prime example of this is SM Supermalls’ network of more than 25 rainwater catchment basins in malls across the country. These reservoirs collect and hold excess rainwater to prevent flooding. They serve as crucial buffers during heavy downpours such as those from Typhoon Carina.

Liza Silerio, SM Supermalls head for corporate compliance and sustainability explained how these rainwater catchment basins performed during the recent floods. She said, “We’ve seen firsthand how our catchment basins have spared communities around our malls from severe flooding during typhoons like Carina. This validates our commitment to investing in sustainable and resilient infrastructure.”

Rainwater Catchment Basins to Prevent Flooding

The first of the catchment basins, built underneath SM City Masinag in 2011, has a capacity of 17,681 cubic meters. To provide a sense of scale, this is equivalent to over seven Olympic-sized swimming pools. In total, the combined rainwater reservoirs have a total capacity of 85,272 cubic meters. In times of flood, these basins collect floodwater to protect nearby communities.

Each SM mall is built with consideration for the needs of its communities and its surrounding environment. SM City Marikina, for example, is located near the Marikina River, which has a long history of recurring floods. For this reason, the mall is elevated by 246 concrete stilts, and this allows floodwater to flow through the structure and away from residential areas. 

In recognition of this innovation and the mall’s mindful infrastructure, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) recognized SM City Marikina for being a prepared facility during calamities. 

Protecting Communities Through Sustainable Infrastructure

Liza Silerio continued with other examples of sustainable SM Malls infrastructure. She cited SM Mall of Asia’s sturdy seawall, which protects the entire area from potential storm surges. SM MOA also employs specialized foundation systems to provide robust protection against liquefaction and seismic events.

According to Hans Sy, adaptation and resilience are keys to thriving despite the damage and losses brought about by climate change. SM has put this commitment into practice by dedicating a substantial portion of its capital expenditure to integrating resilience and sustainability into its infrastructure designs.

As an engineer, Sy is deeply passionate about creating structures that are not only efficient but also robust and resilient. He serves on the Philippine board of ARISE, the UN’s Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies, and co-chairs the National Resilience Council. 

SM Supermalls, together with its holding company SM Prime, remain committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, enriching the quality of life of millions. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future.