SM Prime Holdings, SM Cares, SM By the Bay team up at recent International Coastal Cleanup

SM Prime Holdings, SM Cares and SM By the Bay again joined the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), along with thousands of volunteers in an event highlighting the importance of protecting the world's seas.

The event was held 17 September at SM By the Bay Central Park, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

This year drew a total of 2,438 volunteers composed of students, professionals, and members private and public organizations.

At the end of the activity, an estimated 12,158 kgs of trash in 1,613 trash bags filled, was collected.

Present were Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Sec. Robert Borje, Department of Environment and Natural Resources National Capital Region Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director for Technical Services Engr. Ignacio R. Almira, DENR-NCR Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives group head Chris Villarin, DENR-NCR Communication Development Officer II Ariz Abad, SM Investments president and CEO and 2GO Group president and CEO Frederic DyBuncio, SM Prime Holdings Inc. SVP Glenn Ang, SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So, SM By the BAY mall manager Marie Charlene Claire K. Canoy-Narvasa and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Philippines' Markets and Assurance executive director Allan Cao.

The ICC is an annual global event that encourages individuals to be part of the movement for cleaner seas and oceans. Thousands of Filipino volunteers from various sectors and communities help clean up shorelines and waterways in the country.

"The International Coastal Clean Up is part of the overall SM Green Movement. As a responsible property developer and community partner, SM Prime's various sustainability programs across its malls, residences, hotels and leisure properties promote resource conservation and environmental protection for an improved quality of life in the communities it serves," said SM Supermalls SAVP for operations Perkin So.

Th event was made possible by SM Offices, 2GO, PwC, Maynilad, and International Coastal Clean Up Philippines. DENR-NCR, and the Climate Change Commission.

The Philippine Coast Guard extended support.

Aside from the annual observance of ICC, other sustainability projects of SM Cares include the Trash-To-Cash Recycling Market where individuals can drop off their recyclable waste in exchange for cash; the Plastic Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Programs which promotes responsible plastic and electronic waste management affecting our seas, among others.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, responsible for initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of the community. SM Cares' advocacies include programs on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on Environment.

To learn more about these, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.