Editor’s note: This press release is sponsored by SM Supermalls and was handled by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the publishing of this piece.

Almost forty years since SM Supermalls pledged to uphold water stewardship in its properties across the Philippines, the mall operator continues to innovate its sustainability approach to reduce its reliance on freshwater resources.

The installation of its latest rainwater treatment facility in SM City Masinag comes as the country prepares for El Niño, which is expected to bring drought and dry spells until 2027.

SECOND FACILITY. Engr. Alford Ronduen, operations head of SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation (SM EDD), tours guests around the facility. A facility operator meanwhile shows one of the treatment tanks.

“As a historically rainfall rich area, SM City Masinag was strategically chosen for SM’s second RTF,” said Engr. Liza B. Silerio, vice president for corporate compliance, SM Supermalls. “This facility transforms water runoff into more valuable use, innovating our approach in supporting the community and national water conservation efforts not just during El Niño, but for the future.” 

The new facility at SM City Masinag is the second of its kind in Luzon, converting rainwater into safe and potable water for SM Supermalls’ operations and tenant use. This reduces overall demand on municipal water systems, giving nearby communities more access to freshwater for daily needs and essential community services.

ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCE. The SM City Masinag rainwater treatment facility reinforces SM’s dedication to innovative sustainable operations, going beyond industry standards for the benefit of its surrounding communities.

With an impressive capacity to treat up to 200 cubic meters or 200,000 liters of rainwater per day, the facility can provide one-third of the mall’s annual water consumption, equivalent to 23,000 cubic meters, or an estimated 9 olympic-sized swimming pools.

MULTI-STAGE PROCESS. Engr. Ronduen discusses the water treatment process with a partner.

It uses a multi-stage water treatment process that integrates disinfection, filtration, and reverse osmosis. The process includes stringent monitoring and testing to ensure the water is safe and meets required standards. 

Beyond these benefits, the facility advances SM Prime’s 2040 net-zero ambition by lowering indirect emissions from water extraction, pumping, treatment, and distribution, supporting the company’s broader decarbonization strategy.

Proven technology

The treatment plant at SM City Masinag builds on the success of the SM City Baguio facility in Benguet, a province that is also rainfall-rich yet water-scarce. The facility has processed more than 65,000 cubic meters of rainwater, equivalent to the water consumption of 6,500 households, since it began operations in 2022. It has reduced pressure on local water systems and provided the community with a reliable, sustainable water supply. 

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY. SM’s engineers and VIPs celebrate the initiative at SM City Masinag.

“From the 1990s up until today and toward the future, SM Supermalls’ commitment to water conservation has remained firm. Access to water is a fundamental human right. We believe that protecting this resource is a shared responsibility. As such, we must continually champion responsible water stewardship to ensure it remains accessible to all,” said Silerio. – Rappler.com