Rising to the Challenge: SM City La Union Fights Climate Change with Climate-Smart Infrastructure

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As climate change continues to drive heavier rains and more frequent floods across the Philippines, the need for proactive flood prevention has never been more critical in building resilient communities. Standing as a new beacon of climate-smart development, SM City La Union is tackling this challenge head-on by launching a powerful new defense against the rising waters: a massive rainwater catchment system.

This newly opened mall is now the 30th SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) property to feature this essential climate-resilient infrastructure.

A Bulwark Against the Flood

The primary purpose of SM Supermalls' catchment facilities is to collect and store large volumes of stormwater, effectively preventing the uncontrolled runoff that can quickly overwhelm local drainage networks.

The system is designed to temporarily hold stormwater during heavy rainfall.

This storage allows for the water to be discharged gradually through proper channels, mitigating flood risk.

Collectively, the underground rainwater catchment system at SM City La Union boasts a total capacity of 760 cubic meters.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan emphasized the profound importance of these installations: “Our rainwater catchment systems go beyond flood control — they help create safer spaces for our communities. We hope to show how climate-smart infrastructure and innovation can protect lives, livelihoods, and progress”.

Water for Tomorrow: A Sustainable Vision

SM Prime’s commitment to climate resilience extends beyond flood mitigation, weaving into a comprehensive strategy for sustainable water use. By focusing on managing available resources, the company aims to meet the needs of future generations.

A key part of this vision, dubbed Water for Tomorrow, involves the treating and reusing of water as a supplemental source, which significantly decreases freshwater consumption. The results of these efforts are compelling:

In 2024, SM Prime achieved a 26.23% increase in recycled water volume.

The volume rose dramatically from 4.42 million cubic meters in 2023 to 5.59 million cubic meters.

Empowering Community Action

Physical infrastructure is only one part of the solution; social resilience is equally important. Through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares empowers the public by raising awareness on water conservation and promoting the adoption of sustainable practices in daily life.

SM Prime’s dedication to sustainability is championed through the SM Green Movement, which focuses on waste management, water stewardship, and energy efficiency for lasting impact. The movement empowers Filipinos—individuals, families, and communities—to take part in simple acts that create shared prosperity for generations to come.

Every design decision, every drop of stored water, and every community initiative contributes to a safer, more sustainable future for all. SM City La Union is not just a mall; it is a powerful demonstration of how business innovation protects communities in the face of a changing climate.

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