As an active member of two well-known resilience networks–ARISE Philippines and the National Resilience Council (NRC)--the nation's top real estate developer, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., reaffirmed its dedication to disaster risk resilience under chairman Hans Sy.
The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), which will take place at the Philippine International Convention Center from October 14 to 18, will feature the two networks that have been essential in bolstering the Philippines' disaster preparedness and response systems.
It will have the theme “Surge to 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction."
Sy’s commitment
Sy was elected as the first Filipino member of the global network of the UNDRR ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction because of his commitment to incorporating disaster resilience into SM Supermalls. This is demonstrated by the concrete stilts that SM City Marikina stands on, the higher seawall and wick drains at SM Mall of Asia, and the installation of rainwater catchment basins in 25 malls.
Sy actively established international policies for private sector participation in catastrophe risk reduction throughout his tenure with ARISE Global.
“SM Prime places crucial importance on risk-informed investments. It allows us to serve communities better, to increase our value, to be an asset to the government, and to of course continue our business successfully,” Sy said at the 2019 UN Global Platform.
SM Prime’s initiatives
SM Prime organized the Top Leaders Forum 2023 in conjunction with the ARISE Philippines network on the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Reduction. This event brought together elite representatives from the Department of National Defense, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the UNDRR, and other resilience organizations.
The Women International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WINDRR) Leadership awarding ceremony was held at the forum, which also commemorated the announcement that Manila would host the APMCDRR this year. SM Prime was pleased to sponsor the Excellence Award for outstanding professional success in DRR.
With assistance from SM Prime and the DENR, ARISE Philippines and NRC are working together to highlight the Philippines' dedication to disaster risk reduction in advance of the APMCDRR.
