SM Prime Holdings, led by its president Hans T Sy, recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for a five-year rehabilitation program, called “Adopt an Estero,” to save the San Juan River. The MOA signing coincided with the 25th anniversary of the DENR, and was held at the Malacañang, witnessed by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
It was launched in 2010 as a flagship program, led by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, as a collaboration among estero community, private entities, and local government units. SM Supermalls was a key player in uniting the sectors under one common goal, to rehabilitate urban ecosystems and promote sustainable lifestyle choices. The program provides an integrated undertaking in light of recent major floods in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. Climate change adaptation, solid waste management and private participation, were fused into one program.
The river spans some 10.5 km and covers San Juan City, Manila and Quezon City.Together with the DENR, Metro Manila Development Authority, and local governments, SM Supermalls, through its SM Cares Program for the environment, planned for a comprehensive strategy to improve the health of the estero. The efforts include the introduction of intervention methods such as installing trash traps, planting tree sand other plant species along the river banks and donating material recovery facilities in the barangays.
SM Supermalls’ major focal point is to provide information to educate the public, particularly local residents along the river, on environmental concerns and how community members can do their shares to keep rivers clean. SM has partnered with the DENR in training community leaders about solid waste management and mobilizing residents to implement the San Juan River Environmental Improvement Program. It is SM’s goal that, through this community-based plan, the San Juan River can begin its road to recovery to provide a positive impact on the river and communities, but also on Manila Bay and the entire metropolis.
