SM Green Movement sustainability extends to disaster resilient mall designs withstanding flood

Among the sustainability features integrated into SM’s most-loved malls are disaster-resilient structures designed to strengthen community safety and ensure operational continuity during calamities such as typhoons.

As the Philippines remains one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, flooding continues to threaten communities, livelihoods, and the many small businesses that help drive the economy.

Through the leadership of SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chairperson of the UNDRR ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies, Mr. Hans T. Sy, resilience is embedded across SM’s developments.  Its flood mitigation initiatives are designed to help protect surrounding communities while supporting tenant partners by reducing risks from unpredictable weather events.

Below Ground: Rainwater Catchment Basins

To help divert large volumes of rainwater away from streets during typhoons, SM malls utilize Rainwater Catchment Basins that temporarily store excess water in underground tanks, helping reduce flood risks in surrounding communities. Facilities such as the system at SM City Masinag contribute to SM’s nationwide network of catchment systems, which can collectively hold 86,000 cubic meters of rainwater—equivalent to around 34 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

SM’s latest rainwater catchment system at SM City La Union further advances this approach by integrating flood mitigation with water recovery. The 760-cubic meter system uses multistage filtration and reverse osmosis technology, allowing collected rainwater to be reused for mall operations such as cleaning and cooling, supporting both resilience and sustainability.

Above Ground: Stilts and a seawall

Opened in 2008, SM City Marikina possesses a unique feature implemented according to the needs of its surrounding community.  Elevated on 246 concrete stilts, the mall stands at a height above the highest recorded water level in the area allowing the mall to withstand extreme flooding. This feature was immediately put to the test when in 2009 Typhoon Ondoy ravaged the country with week-long floods and power outages. In the midst of the calamity, SM City Marikina served as a safe and dry refuge for those affected by the flooding.

Along coastlines, the SM Mall of Asia seawall stands as a barrier between the complex and high waves typically caused by storm surges. Its wave return feature helps prevent damage to surrounding structures due to rising sea levels by deflecting high waves back to the ocean. Drainage channels below the seawall also divert excess water preventing floods. Additionally, the SM Mall of Asia itself is built above building code standards allowing the complex to withstand extreme weather and seismic events.

With its investment in flood-resilient structures and its alliance with private sector partners in Disaster Risk Reduction through ARISE, SM recognizes its role in helping protect its surrounding communities in high-risk areas. Guided by the DRR pillar of its sustainability drive through the SM Green Movement, SM continues to uphold its commitment in safeguarding the welfare of its stakeholders and partners now and in generations to come.

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This article is brought to you by SM Supermalls.