SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), led by its president, Hans T. Sy, partnered and recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for a five-year rehabilitation program to save the San Juan River.

SM Prime supported the DENR project under the ‘Adopt-an- Estero Program.’ The MOA signing coincided with the 25th anniversary of the DENR, and was held at the Malacañan Palace and graced by no less than President Aquino.

The Adopt-an-Estero Program was launched in 2010 as a flagship program, led by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, as a collaborative undertaking among the estero community, private entities and Iocal government units. 

SM Supermalls strives to be a key role player in uniting these various sectors under one common goal, to rehabilitate the country’s urban ecosystems and promote sustainable lifestyle choices. The program also intends to provide an integrated undertaking in the light of the recent major floods in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. In effect, various aspects of climate-change adaptation, proper solid-waste management and the participation of the private sector, were fused into one program.

The San Juan River spans 10.5 kilometers and covers San Juan City, Manila and Quezon City.Together with the DENR, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and other local government agencies, SM Supermalls, through its SM Cares Program on the Environment, planned for a comprehensive strategy to improve the health of the estero across this entire length. These efforts include the introduction of intervention methods such as installing trash traps, planting trees and other plant species along the river banks, and donating material recovery facilities with the barangays.

SM Supermalls’ major focal point is to provide information and education campaigns to communicate to the public, particularly with local residents along the river, about the various environmental concerns and how community members can do their share to keep rivers clean.

SM has partnered with the DENR in training community leaders about solid-waste management and mobilizing fellow residents to implement the San Juan River Environmental Improvement Program.

It is SM’s goal that, through this community-based education and action plan, the San Juan River can begin its road to recovery that will not only provide a positive impact on the river and communities themselves, but also on Manila Bay and entire National Capital Region.