A Closer Look at SM City Baguio’s Redevelopment and SM’s Commitment to the Environment
- Published on Monday, 13 February 2012 14:13
- Category: Features
A Closer Look at SM City Baguio’s Redevelopment and SM’s Commitment to the Environment
SM City Baguio will soon roll out its plan for the redevelopment of the mall to give way to several benefits to its patrons. But unknown to many, because of SM’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, especially when it comes to the environment, the company has made several measures to ensure that the environment is cared for and protected before, during, and after the redevelopment. In fact, many of these environmental measures have already been deliberately put in place long before any expansion has been planned.
SM’s commitment to the environment has always been holistic, strategic, and for the long-term. In a manner of speaking, it has to do with being able to see the trees, the forest, and the city all at the same time.
Let us take a quick look at just some of SM City Baguio’s environmental programs in the light of the redevelopment of the mall.
Many are not aware that SM City Baguio has always played an active role in the re-greening of the city and has always been sensitive to the importance of environmental protection, including the pine trees of Baguio. Some facts that people do not know:
• SM City Baguio has been nurturing and taking care of around 1,130 trees within the mall property alone.
• The 182 trees that will be transferred due to the mall redevelopment account for roughly 16% of the trees that is currently being cared for.
• SM City Baguio will plant 10,000 saplings (young pine trees, not seedlings) this year plus 50,000 more the next three years, a total of 60,000 saplings - equivalent to more than 300 saplings for each tree that will be transferred. These trees will be nurtured and cared for until they grow well enough to survive on their own.
• Since 2005, way before the planned redevelopment, SM City Baguio has already planted over 8,000 pine saplings all over the region. Most of these pine trees are located at the Busol Watershed (around 3,000), Buyog Watershed (around 1,500), at Tuba Benguet (around 900), at Burnham Park (around 2,000), and at the SM City Baguio mall premises (around 800).
• The company is committed to help in propagating and nurturing pine trees not just within its premises. It has adopted certain areas in the city where it can plant more trees and further help in the re-greening of Baguio City and Benguet.
These efforts will help secure the future of thousands upon thousands of pine trees. And the long-term benefits will be reaped by the residents of Baguio City, their children, and their children’s children for all generations to come.
Source: http://smsupermalls.com/smsupermalls/smbg/
