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.
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.
“We need to invest in the appropriate engineering and infrastructure to
deliver water from the source,” Secretary Loyzaga said. “We must avoid, if not
reduce drastically, the extraction of groundwater which in low-lying coastal
areas causes subsidence and increases flooding.”
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. From left to right: 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 to Arnold Almacen/Iloilo City Office of the Mayor.
Sec Loyzaga: Invest in rainwater collection
“Rainwater catchments will not
only provide additional supply for household use but will also help ensure the
availability of surface water through the maintenance of watershed cover when
impounded,” Secretary Loyzaga said.
Based on the latest report of the Philippine
Statistics Authority, water
abstracted for own use increased from 215.2 billion cubic meters
(bcm) in 2020 to 217.8
bcm in 2021
countrywide. From 2010 to 2021, the largest amount of self-abstracted water is for the power sector
(58.7%). This was
followed by agriculture (33.5%); mining and quarrying, manufacturing, and construction
(5.3%); and services
sector and households (2.6%).
Earlier this month, the DENR said the country still has enough water supply,
but proper management is needed to prevent a possible water crisis by the end
of the year.
The
call was met with a resounding response from the private sector, particularly,
SM Prime. In the same forum, SM
Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance Engr. Liza B. Silerio shared
how SM Prime has stepped up the sustainability
programs that it has been doing since SM Supermalls started recycling water in
the 1990s.
From
rainwater catchment to help deter flooding in communities where its malls are
located, SM Prime also pioneered the mall-based rainwater filtration system
that converts the collected rainwater to be potable enough for washing,
cleaning and even drinking. Launched at SM City Baguio, the facility
will supply mall tenants with enough potable water to help reduce sourcing from
the communities’ water table.
“As an integrated property developer, we have seen the first-hand
effects of natural hazards that are caused by the change in weather patterns in
the Philippines,” Engr. Silerio explained. “El Nino and La Nina are two
phenomena resulting from climate change. Our country ranks number one in the
World Risk Index 2022 report as the most vulnerable among 193 nations.”
Faced with this challenge, Engr. Silerio shared that SM Prime will
continue to find innovative ways to address the climate challenges. “We
continue to evolve and adapt technology to improve our resource consumption as
part of our climate action,” she concluded.
