SM Investments Corporation Drives Sustainable Development in the Philippines

Overview of Economic Growth and SDG Alignment

As Southeast Asia continues its dynamic growth, the Philippines stands out with its young population, strong consumer market, and economic resilience. SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM group, expresses optimism about the country’s growth trajectory and actively supports the nation’s resilient economy, aligning its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Economic Resilience and Consumer Confidence

Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and CEO of SM Investments, highlighted the strong consumer confidence supported by modest inflation and resilient Filipino communities. This positive sentiment contributes to sustainable economic growth, directly supporting SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Inclusive Growth Through Education and Job Creation

The Philippines’ growth strategy focuses on significant investments in human capital, particularly through education and job creation. SM Investments aligns with this strategy by:

1. Operating educational institutions such as Asia Pacific College and National University.
2. Providing extensive scholarship programs via the SM Foundation.

To date, SM has granted over 16,000 scholarships, with more than 1,000 awarded in 2024 alone. These efforts promote SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by equipping a future-ready generation with relevant skills and opportunities.

Health, Education, and Food Security Initiatives

• Renovation of 415 health centers.
• Construction of 2,850 schools.
• Training of over 49,000 farmers.

These social investments contribute to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 2: Zero Hunger by improving access to quality education, healthcare, and promoting food security.

Support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

MSMEs are vital to the Philippine economy. SM nurtures a network of over 100,000 MSME tenants and suppliers and supports economic diversification by:

• Providing PHP72 billion in loans through BDO Unibank, Inc. and China Banking Corporation.
• Launching a Business Continuity Planning (BCP) program in 2024 for MSME mall tenants, including capacity-building and secure digital document storage.

These initiatives foster local entrepreneurship and resilience, advancing SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Environmental Sustainability and Disaster Resilience

SM Investments integrates disaster-resilient design into its property developments and invests in environmental infrastructure to mitigate risks, including:

• 41 water catchments.
• 108 water recycling facilities nationwide.

These efforts support SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 13: Climate Action by promoting sustainable water management and disaster risk reduction.

Sustainability Financing and Green Initiatives

The group’s banking units have financed sustainable projects extensively:

• BDO’s Sustainable Energy Finance (SEF) program has funded over PHP1 trillion in projects.
• China Bank has allocated PHP147 billion under its Sustainable Finance Portfolio targeting renewable energy, clean transport, and green infrastructure.

SM’s retail segment promotes eco-friendly consumer choices with over 20,000 green products under the Green Finds program, energy-saving systems, eco-bag campaigns, and support for local, heritage, and upcycled products through brands like Kultura. These initiatives advance SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Commitment to Community and Future-Proofing the Economy

Mr. DyBuncio emphasized that SM’s advocacies aim to uplift not only the company but also the communities where it operates. The group’s initiatives contribute to sustaining the current economic momentum while building a resilient and future-proof Philippine economy for generations to come, in line with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

References

For more information, visit the original press release: SM Enabling Resilient and Sustainable Development

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – Through support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and economic diversification.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Training over 49,000 farmers to promote food security.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Renovation of 415 health centers to improve access to healthcare.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education – Scholarship programs, building 2,850 schools, and educational institutions supporting human capital development.
5. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Sustainable Energy Finance program funding renewable energy projects.
6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Job creation, MSME support, and economic resilience initiatives.
7. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Investments in disaster-resilient infrastructure and environmental infrastructure.
8. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Disaster-resilient design in property developments and community support.
9. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promotion of eco-friendly products and energy-saving systems.
10. SDG 13: Climate Action – Environmental infrastructure investments and sustainable finance targeting green projects.
11. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration with various sectors including banking, education, and community programs.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 1: Target 1.2 – Reduce poverty by supporting MSMEs through loans and capacity-building programs.
2. SDG 2: Target 2.3 – Double agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers by training farmers.
3. SDG 3: Target 3.8 – Achieve universal health coverage by renovating health centers.
4. SDG 4: Target 4.3 – Equal access to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education via scholarships and institutions.
5. SDG 7: Target 7.2 – Increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix through financing sustainable energy projects.
6. SDG 8: Target 8.3 – Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities and entrepreneurship.
7. SDG 9: Target 9.1 – Develop quality, reliable, sustainable infrastructure including disaster-resilient designs.
8. SDG 11: Target 11.5 – Reduce the number of deaths and economic losses caused by disasters through resilient infrastructure.
9. SDG 12: Target 12.5 – Substantially reduce waste generation through eco-friendly products and campaigns.
10. SDG 13: Target 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards via environmental infrastructure.
11. SDG 17: Target 17.17 – Encourage effective partnerships through multi-stakeholder collaboration in education, finance, and community programs.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Number of scholarships awarded (e.g., over 16,000 scholarships granted, 1,000+ in 2024).
• Number of schools built (2,850 schools) and health centers renovated (415 health centers).
• Number of farmers trained (over 49,000 farmers).
• Amount of loans provided to MSMEs (PHP72 billion).
• Number of MSME tenants and suppliers supported (over 100,000).
• Number of water catchments (41) and water recycling facilities (108) constructed.
• Funding amounts for sustainable energy and finance projects (e.g., PHP1 trillion under SEF, PHP147 billion under China Bank’s Sustainable Finance Portfolio).
• Number of eco-friendly products offered (over 20,000 under Green Finds program).
• Implementation of energy-saving systems and eco-bag campaigns in retail stores.
• Launch and coverage of Business Continuity Planning (BCP) programs for MSMEs.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: uk.finance.yahoo.com