SM City La Union Boosts Climate Resilience with Rainwater Catchment System

As climate change continues to intensify weather patterns across the Philippines, the need for proactive and community-centered disaster mitigation has never been more urgent. Heavier rainfall, more frequent flooding, and unpredictable weather events place increasing pressure on local infrastructure, making resilience a shared responsibility. In response, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) continues to expand its climate-adaptive initiatives, with SM City La Union becoming the latest mall to integrate a rainwater catchment system into its development.

Now the 30th mall under SM Prime to feature such facility, SM City La Union strengthens the company’s growing network of climate-resilient infrastructure nationwide. Designed to manage stormwater efficiently, SM’s catchment systems are engineered to collect, store, and control the release of large volumes of rainwater during heavy downpours. Instead of allowing stormwater to rush directly into drainage systems—where it could contribute to overflow and localized flooding—these catchment areas provide temporary holding space. Water is retained underground and gradually discharged through proper channels once public drainage networks can safely accommodate the flow.

This deliberate and engineered delay is a crucial buffer in flood-prone regions, especially in areas where communities and businesses coexist closely with natural waterways. SM City La Union’s catchment facility demonstrates how commercial developments can support local flood mitigation efforts by augmenting public systems and reducing the strain on municipal drainage. With a total storage capacity of 760 cubic meters, the facility is built to respond to intense rainfall events, helping protect surrounding neighborhoods and enabling safer mall operations during storms.

Beyond flood mitigation, SM Prime’s approach to water management embraces a broader vision of sustainability. The company recognizes that every drop of water conserved, stored, or reused contributes to a stronger future for communities and the environment. Through its “Water for Tomorrow” strategy, SM focuses not only on capturing stormwater but also on treating and repurposing water as a supplemental resource. This significantly reduces dependence on freshwater sources, which are increasingly stressed by population growth and environmental change.

In 2024, SM Prime recorded a 26.23% increase in recycled water volume, rising from 4.42 million cubic meters in 2023 to 5.59 million cubic meters. This milestone reflects the company’s continuing efforts to innovate and invest in sustainable systems that lessen environmental impact while securing long-term operational resilience.

Equally important to these physical systems is the work of SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls. The group actively promotes awareness on water conservation, responsible consumption, and everyday sustainable practices. Through advocacy campaigns, educational programs, and partnerships with local organizations, SM Cares empowers communities to take part in protecting water resources and building resilience from the ground up.

“Our rainwater catchment systems go beyond flood control — they help create safer spaces for our communities. We hope to show how climate-smart infrastructure and innovation can protect lives, livelihoods, and progress,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. His statement underscores SM Prime’s commitment to ensuring that sustainability is embedded not just in design and engineering, but also in the lived experience of every community the company serves.