SM Supermalls powers up sustainability efforts, installs e-Vehicle charging stations in NCR malls

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SM Supermalls has deployed the first ever in-mall free charging stations in the Philippines for e-Vehicles (EV) at select SM malls as part of its efforts to create a safer, greener future for all.

The free EV charging stations were simultaneously launched today at SM Aura in Taguig City, SM North Edsa in Quezon City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and SM Megamall in Mandaluyong; with PGA Cars providing the car displays at the official launch event in SM Aura.

This initiative is part of SM Supermall’s push to support technological innovations for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.

“SM Supermalls will remain true to our promise of creating a safe malling experience for our mallgoers, and part of that commitment is building a greener environment for everyone. We will always strive to ramp up our efforts to give back to our communities through our innovative projects in driving sustainability in our 79 malls nationwide. We want to urge everyone to consider more sustainable options in their everyday life, and shifting to e-Vehicles is a giant leap towards a greener future for all of us,” SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan said.

The in-mall charging stations is conveniently located in SM AURA B1 Parking, SM Mall of Asia 3rd Level North Parking Building, SM Megamall B1 Parking Mega Fashion Hall, and SM North Edsa 3rd Level North Parking Tower, have two Wallbox Pulsar Plus 7.4KW AC chargers per mall. These chargers support e-Vehicle brands such as Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Hyundai, among others.

The launch of the EV charging stations in premier SM malls is a product of SM Supermalls’ continuous partnership with the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry in assisting the government accelerate its renewable energy and sustainability initiatives.

“SM Supermalls will continue our staunch support of the government’s new EV law and the National Renewable Energy Program to promote a more eco-friendly society for all Filipinos. We remain steadfast in our goal of increasing our share of renewable energy sources by 50 percent by the end of 2022,” Tan said.

E-vehicles are true zero emission vehicles that have electric motors instead of internal combustion engines. As of 2020, there are 12,965 registered EVs in the Philippines. SM Supermalls is one of the first mall chains to establish in-mall e-Vehicle charging sites in the country.

SM Supermalls is the first mall chain to establish in-mall e-Vehicle charging sites in the country. In 2018, SM North Edsa inaugurated its first EV charging station to service electric public transport routes and most recently these EV chargers have been updated.

In the coming months, expect that more fast chargers will be installed in other SM Malls nearest you.

The EV Charging Stations Project supports The SM Green Movement towards a greener planet. #smgreenmovement @smsupermalls. For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media accounts.

The Asia Foundation launches 2nd Development Entrepreneurship Mentoring Progr

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Photo above shows participants of the 2^nd Development Entrepreneurship Mentoring Program. Joining the launch event were Sam Chittick, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, Paul Harrington, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, and Filomeno “Men” Sta. Ana III, Coordinator and Founding Member, Action for Economic Reforms (AER).

The Asia Foundation, with the support of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, has formally launched the 2^nd Development Entrepreneurship (DE) Mentoring Program for policy-reform leaders in the Indo-Pacific region.

The DE Mentoring Program aims to facilitate deeper learning and practice of policy reform. Mentees receive one-on-one mentoring sessions from veteran reform leaders over six months. During the mentorship, they learn to identify, clarify, and pursue their reform ideas using Development Entrepreneurship principles.

“This mentorship program aims to support mentees as change agents in pursuing positive policy reforms in their sector or area of expertise. It serves as a support mechanism, as Development Entrepreneurship crosses the boundaries between traditional development work and other sectors,” said Mr. Sam Chittick, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation.

Mr. Paul Harrington, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, shared that the mentoring program demonstrates the Australian government’s continued commitment to work with the Philippine government, stakeholders from civil society, business, and the academic community to strengthen governance and address development challenges.

This group comprises 20 individual mentees and is a mix of development professionals from the academe, faith-based organizations, NGOs, private corporations, and the government. One of the mentees is an official from BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao); three are from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Fiji, while two participants work on projects sponsored by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

“I was inspired to apply for the 6-month DE mentoring program after attending the online course on Development Entrepreneurship and listening to the success stories of the various policy reform advocates,” said Keith Jablo, Project Associate of Ayala Foundation and University Lecturer of the University of the Philippines-Visayas, and one of the program’s mentees. “Through the mentoring program, I know that I can make the reform I envision for the communities I work with into reality,” Jablo added.

The Development Entrepreneurship program will run until September 2022. The next mentoring group is expected to begin on the 1^st quarter of 2023. Aside from the mentoring program, the 3^rd batch of the Development Entrepreneurship: 12 Keys to Successful Reform Online Course will start on 16 May 2022.

 

For more information, visit: http://developmententrepreneurship.org/.

At the Astra Pimentel, a senatorial candidate, Meet and Greet with media

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I guess this is the election when there are quite a huge number of hopefuls, from presidential down to senatorial candidates, and not just at the national level, I've also seen so many aspiring to be among the local government officials. Are they truly aiming to serve the public, inspite of these crazy times when the pandemic has given us so many challenges? I'm quite amused of the political environment in the Philippines as there are so many choices available but still mostly composed of the same faces.Thoigh there are new players, many are also connected and allied with the same traditional politicians we've known throughout the years.

Among the new faces is Senator hopeful Astra Pimentel (Naik), running under the PDP-LABAN and proudly endorsed by President Duterte himself.

It's not my first time hearing her talk as I was able to watch her during the SMNI senatorial debates, and she is indeed good in expressing her ideas, and hopefully she will also be a hands-on government official who will not totally rely on her staff doing groundwork, but even going to farflung places to personally witness and experience the realities of the real world. Sabi nga niya, kahit baha ay lulusungin niya, makarating lang sa kanyang paroroonan. We do need somebody who is not afraid to get  dirty. We need somebody who will walk the talk, someone who also acts correspondingly and not full of just press releases and publicity.

Though she seems to be too grateful of President Duterte and Pimentel for all the opportunities in government, we've learned that she started from the lower ranks and went through several positions before this level up to  a senator position. Those years of experience is among her advantages as we know she can relate to what's happening at most levels unlike other senator hopefuls who quickly jumped to running as senator. We just hope that all that "utang na loob" would not make her blind and ignore the shortcomings of her "idols". Also, her loyalty to her party should end when the fate of the country and Filipinos are at stake.

It was also revealed at the Meet and Greet that she was the woman behind some notable movements that paved the way to many political movements so we are guaranteed that she knows how things work behind the scenes so she won't be totally dependent on her staff to orient her on the basics. I guess there's really a woman behind many great men.

As a wife and mother, the revelation that she is in a good relationship even with the children of her husband from a previous marriage and treats them as her real children, and that the kids love her even more than their real mother, shows that she can love without discrimination.We need one like her that would welcome us with open arms inspite of such situations.

When asked how she wants to be identified amidst all the other senatorial candidates, she is more inclined to be a champion against women trafficking especially for OFWs. Incidentally, her husband is also running as a nominee of Ako OFW partylist. Both husband and wife are geared towards the benefit of OFWs.

Her promise is an open door policy, similar to how she has been doing ever since working for Pimentel. She assures that everyone is welcome to reach out to her as conveniently as possible without the hassles of bureaucracy.