Coastal land reclamation: A glimpse into today’s urban development strategies

Photo credit to Anastasia Yudin. An aerial shot of Flower Dome in Singapore. 

Coastal land reclamation is increasing and will continue to grow and be a popular urban strategy in places that experience urban growth. 

This is according to a study, “Mapping 21st Century Global Coastal Land Reclamation,” that analyzed landsat satellite images from 2000 to 2020 to quantify spatial extent, scale, and land use of urban coastal reclamation of 135 cities globally with populations exceeding one million. Key findings indicate that 78% of these cities have turned to reclamation to create additional land, resulting in 253,000 hectares of new land, an area equivalent to Luxembourg.

SCPW, UAPSA join hands with SM Prime in promoting wetland conservation

SCPW president Arch. Celestino Ulep leads a discussion on nature-based architecture during the fourth SCPW Wetland Center Design Symposium. Photo from SCPW

As the world celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity 2023, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) joined the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW) hosted the fourth SCPW Wetland Center Design Symposium on May 29th at the MAAX Building in the Mall of Asia Complex.

Bannering the theme "Build Back Biodiversity: Wetland Centers and Nature-Based Architecture," the hybrid symposium featured presentations centered on fostering knowledge and awareness about wetland conservation and innovative design approaches. 

Sec. Loyzaga: Invest in rainwater collection

At the multi-stakeholder forum, “Towards a Greener Footprint,” in Iloilo City recently, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga shared solutions-focused guidelines to help the local government reduce carbon footprint, with emphasis on water conservation to address the looming water crisis and increase access to safe water and sanitation. (L-R): Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, journalist Ces Drilon, Secretary Loyzaga, urban planning and landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) co-chair Michaela Rossette Santo-Tayag and SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance Liza Silerio. Photo credits: Arnold Almacen/Iloilo City Office of the Mayor.

DENR, SM Prime calls on cities to innovate and invest in water-saving technologies to avert water crisis.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading real estate developers in Southeast Asia, recently called on local public officials to avoid the extraction of groundwater and, instead, invest in rainwater collection for recycling and impoundment, as well as explore new technologies such as modular desalination and modular sewage treatment plants, to manage the effects of climate change on the country’s water resources.

SM Foundation introduces rainwater harvesting for sustainable impact

Midwife Narcisa Jagmis observes as the system collects rainwater from the gutters.

In line with the SM Green Movement, the SM group, through SM Foundation, recently established a rainwater harvesting system at the Brgy. Irawan Birthing Facility in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The initiative aims to strengthen their goal of preserving the environment and ensuring the health and wellness of future generations.

To enhance water conservation and management in the facility, the system collects rainwater from the roof and gutter, passing it through vinyl-coated mesh filters to help ensure water quality. With an 800-liter storage capacity, the harvested water serves the facility’s non-potable needs like watering plants, cleaning, and toilet flushing.

DTI invites the public to the 17th ‘Padday na Lima’ Regional Trade Fair at Festival Mall, Alabang

The Department of Trade and Industry National Capital Regional Office is inviting the public in the National Capital Region to visit and support the 17th ‘Padday na Lima’ Regional Trade Fair.

The event will take place at the Carousel Court of the Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City from August 7 to August 13, 2023.

Don’t miss the incredible opportunity to discover the bounty of the Cagayan Valley as an investment and tourism destination and its unique advantages as a business base, and indulge in the exciting product innovations and trademark products straight from our local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and farmers.

Be part of this celebration and share the excitement of supporting ‘Padday na Lima’ by putting on our special Facebook profile picture frame: https://twb.nz/17thpaddaynalimartf.

SM Prime taps Citicore Renewables for the supply of clean energy

 

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) and Citicore Renewable Energy Company (CREC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 11 July 2023 as a joint commitment to champion renewable energy. 

SG Hassan Pasco receives a plaque of recognition from CDRRMO

SG Hassan receives a plaque of recognition from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office officials:  (L-R) Ralph Kristian Eustaquio, Research and Planning Division Head, Vanessa T. Reyes, CGADH-I, CDRRMO , Rolly Asaula Administrative Division Head and John Edward Babani Administration and Training Division Head. With them is SM City San Pablo CRS Manager Ramon Domingo (3rd from right).

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office awards SM City San Pablo guard SG Hassan Pasco a plaque of recognition for his selflessness and courageous efforts in saving a life during a critical and life-threatening situation on June 25, 2023.

A Founder’s Dream: Urban Farming and the SM Foundation

SM City Cebu

Based on a vision put forward by founder Henry Sy, Sr., and a program that began in earnest in 2007; SM Foundation mounted simultaneous Urban Farming initiatives last July 7, at the SM City North Edsa Annex and 16 other SM malls. It was a wonderful way to highlight its progress over the years and to celebrate the vision with the strategic government agencies and LGUs that have been such valuable partners over the 16 years.

 

SM City North Edsa

This Urban Farming initiative is led by the SM Foundation through its Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP). It’s about uplifting the farmer community, fostering environmental consciousness, food security, and creating livelihood and income opportunities for marginalized urban communities. Through the KSK-SAP, a comprehensive program of urban farming techniques, product development, marketing, and basic accounting are offered in strategically-located field schools.

SM City Roxas

The KSK program has successfully conducted over 260 sustainable agricultural trainings, benefiting a total of 28,550 farmers. These trainings have taken place in both rural and urban settings, where participants have been exposed to sustainable farming modules that promote the cultivation of nutritious, high-quality vegetables and fruits. 

SM City Clark

 

Partnering with the SM Foundation, SM Supermalls, and SM Markets are the following government agencies; the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Tourism, and the Quezon City Government. Each government organization and LGU plays a vital role in maintaining the viability of the program, and so that no stone is left unturned in ensuring its success.

 

As an example, the SM Foundation has brought SM Supermalls and SM Markets into the picture so that as these urban farmers successfully harvest, they’re given an opportunity to market and sell their produce at the Sunday Markets that are now being held in several malls across the nation. When the produce reaches a volume that goes beyond this Sunday marketing mechanism, the SM Markets offer other alternatives.

SM City Naga

 

It’s about creating integration and circularity so that a mini-economic ecosystem is realized. After all, it can’t be about teaching them what and how to farm and then leaving them with no outlet with which to monetize this harvest. The SM Foundation creates these strategic partnerships so that true income opportunities become part of the overall scenario.

SM City Cabanatuan

 

Who would have thought that this vision of Henry Sy, Sr., back in 2007, would have been so uncanny in predicting the mounting problems and issues we face today in agriculture, sustainable food production, food security, and urban development? It’s a vision and dream that those in the SM Foundation are very proud to carry on, and deliver.

SM is in the business of creating a sustainable environment. From being the first to consider renewable energy in mall buildings, to implementing energy-saving devices, we continue to meet significant sustainability milestones. 

Join us as we commit to a more sustainable lifestyle at smgreenmovement.com and #SMGreenMovement

SM City East Ortigas

SM City Telabastagan

SM City Fairview

SM City Gen San

Schoology: The breakthrough classroom of the new normal

During the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, the education sector needed guidance on how students would continue learning despite limitations at home. Many digital learning management systems (LMS) were explored, searching for the best alternative to physical classrooms. Among them, Rex Education's Schoology has grown in popularity and has become one of the most useful and impactful LMS.

Schoology is a cloud-based LMS that helps educators and academic institutions create engaging content, teach lessons, and evaluate students' performance, bringing learning and assessment together in one platform.

This digital tool enables users to utilize new and existing content, making it easy to create instructional materials. It contains rich shared resources, including user-generated lessons, assignments, and exams. Furthermore, its assessment tools aid teachers in more efficiently annotating and grading student responses. It also includes data and analytic functions for tracking student progress and identifying learning gaps.

LMS oversight is more complex than it appears. Apart from the country's challenges with Internet connectivity, some people may need more technical expertise to use this kind of system. However, this is manageable with Schoology because it is easy to navigate, user-friendly, and has a broader reach.

Moreover, Schoology is the only LMS with a built-in collaboration feature, connecting everyone to the same network to improve communication and sharing in the classroom, throughout the institution, and even globally. It makes linking apps, materials, and systems easier, allowing any institution's system or requirements to run and be monitored more seamlessly. Additionally, using its mobile application, any student or teacher can access resources, classes, assignments, and discussions no matter where they are.

As witnessed, especially in the last three years, learning management systems are becoming increasingly crucial in helping teachers and learners manage, plan, deliver, and track the learning process. Therefore, selecting the best system, such as Schoology, is vital to meet everyone's needs and assist schools, teachers, and learners in achieving their goals.

The country has reopened schools recently and returned to a face-to-face learning modality. Despite this, it is safe to conclude that some pandemic breakthroughs, such as online learning, are here to stay. After all, Schoology is not a replacement for physical classrooms but rather a tool to aid learning strategies, provide flexibility to accommodate more students and strengthen the educational system.

PCPPI adopts, commits to rehabilitate Magdaong River

In partnership with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and the City Government of Muntinlupa, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) recently formally committed to look after the cleanliness and beautification of the Magdaong River as part of the Adopt-A-River Project. The program allows for the collaboration between local government units, private sector organizations, and residential communities towards cleaner and safer waterways. The Adopt-A-River Project is also supervised by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).

Last month, PCPPI volunteers joined members of the Muntinlupa City’s Lake Management Office (LMO) and Environmental Sanitation Center (ESC), the LLDA, and the DENR’s “Estero Rangers” to clean up a portion of the Magdaong River perpendicular to the Poblacion Bridge in Sto. Nino Village. Before the activity, PCPPI’s employees set up safety rails and solar-powered LED lights, and even painted a colourful wall mural by the aforementioned bridge. Volunteers also donated and planted Indian trees by the bridge to enrich the soil further ahead of the rainy season.

The photo above shows volunteers from Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) – Metro Operations Services team with representatives from the City Government of Muntinlupa, the Laguna Lake Development Authority, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in front of the company’s colorful mural-marker along the Magdaong River in Sto. Nino, Muntinlupa City.