BAGUIO CITY — SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of the leading and integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, recently joined forces with the Department of Energy (DOE), Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and USAID for the “You Have the Power” campaign.

The initiative aims to encourage the public to adopt an energy-efficient lifestyle and instill a sense of shared responsibility for the environment, with the support of SM Supermalls and its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares. 

The roadshow commenced at SM City Baguio on June 23, engaging the youth through the display of remarkable artworks.

These artworks, created by talented students from different schools across the country, were the winning entries from the DOE’s Digital Poster Making Contest.

Senior High School students from the University of the Cordilleras (UC) actively participated in the program, engaging in an informative learning session focused on energy efficiency and conservation 101.

The session provided a gamified experience through exhibit booths, enhancing the students’ understanding and practical knowledge in the subject matter.

According to a statement issued by SM City Baguio, sustainability and disaster resilience lie at the heart of SM Prime’s business.

The company dedicates 10 percent of its capital expenses towards incorporating features in its properties that align with these advocacies, consistently upholding this commitment.

These initiatives encompass a wide range of efforts, including the implementation of rain catchment facilities, the adoption of renewable energy sources, and various other measures aimed at promoting sustainability and resilience.

“Sustainability and disaster resilience are at the core of SM Prime’s business. In line with this, the company continuously allocates 10 percent of its capital expenses in features in its properties supporting these two advocacies, from rain catchment facilities to renewable energy sources and everything in between,” the statement said. 

The roadshow showcased SM Prime’s innovative green building design across SM Supermalls, which incorporates renewable energy, energy-efficient building management systems, and electric vehicle charging stations.  

“As a responsible corporate citizen, SM Supermalls is committed to utilizing our “super power” in designing, building and operating malls sustainably. More than 50% of the energy consumed by SM Prime properties nationwide comes from renewable sources, enough to power 260, 000 homes in a single day. We design our malls purposely, with features such as Building Management systems, to enhance energy efficiency on a daily basis. Free electric charging stations are also provided in 27 malls nationwide to encourage the public to use sustainable forms of transportation,” North 1 regional operations manager Rona Vida B. Correa said.

For its part, the DOE has been actively promoting renewable energy and sustainable transport initiatives.

As part of this campaign, the DOE has installed solar panels and showcased an electric vehicle display.

Complementing these efforts, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has developed the City of Energia app.

This app serves as a valuable resource, providing the public with information on energy efficiency and conservation, further supporting the drive towards a more sustainable future.

“DOE encourages you to be “masinop” and “wais” on using energy which will prove beneficial for our future and our environment. You Have the Power campaign initiated by the DOE together with the PCO will help by promoting information about our own capabilities when it comes to managing energy,” DOE director and Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB) CESO III Patrick Aquino said on a pre-recorded message.

On another pre-recorded message, Presidential Communications Office asst. secretary Patricia Martin said, “The partnership between the Presidential Communications Office and the Department of Energy is one of the many steps we are taking to ensure that we meet the goals we are set out to do. ‘You have the Power’, with this campaign, we directly involve the people by embracing energy efficiency, we unlock a multitude of benefits from mitigating climate change to promoting economic growth and energy security. There’s truly an abundance of things we can accomplish if we do it as a nation in divisible. By promoting sustainable practices and energy efficient measures, we are paving the way for a brighter, cleaner and greener Philippines.” 

The roadshow will continue in SM Lanang Premier, bringing the message of energy efficiency and conservation to more communities.

SM Prime is also supporting the DOE’s campaign by playing energy efficiency and conservation infomercials by the government agency on the public announcement systems in SM malls, further empowering the public in reducing energy consumption.