SM Group property arm SM Prime Holdings Inc. seeks to spur local economic growth through its recent expansion in Laguna after opening a 23,000 square meters shopping mall, SM Center San Pedro.

Located on top of a hill-like spot in the city's Upper Village, SM Center San Pedro joins SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Calamba and SM City San Pablo as the fourth SM mall in Laguna.

News of the mall opening was well received by San Pedrenses said Jhe-Rico Sam Colina, the chief information officer of the government of San Pedro City as it is seen to spur more local activity.

"When the news broke that SM will open a mall, the people were excited, since the places that they visit are usually far from their residences. For leisure, grocery, sometime they would have to go to Biñan or as far as Muntinlupa," he said.

With hilly areas in the city, access to goods can be quite challenging to navigate around.

"We have a lower or the town proper and then the Upper Villages here in San Pedro. If you're going to travel from the Upper Villages, it would take you 30 to 40 minutes by jeepney to reach the public market."

Some of the Group's retail affiliates in SM Center San Pedro, including SM Appliance Center, note that 86 percent of its employees are San Pedro residents. Similarly, Watsons Philippines has 60 percent of its team members coming from the city. In the mall's administration office, 52 percent of the workforce are all locally hired from San Pedro.

Beyond the staple offerings of SM from its anchor tenants like SM Hypermarket, and SM Appliance Center, among others it is also a partner for sustainable initiatives.

The mall utilizes low-emissivity (Low E) glass for windows and skylights most evident in SM Center San Pedro's Event Center. For a more responsible management of natural resources, the mall's water treatment plant and LED light fixtures complement one another to ensure efficiency in energy consumption.

A forward-looking feature such as the designated electric vehicle, or EV, charging station is also open to all mall-goers located in the basement parking.

Enabling small businesses

Vina Dauz has been serving cooked food party trays, desserts and other delectable Filipino treats to the neighboring communities of San Pedro, Laguna for over five years. Although she has a thriving online presence, her dream has always been to run her very own café.

When the leasing officer from then soon-to-open SM Center San Pedro called her about bringing a café concept to her community, it was a yes right away.

SM Center San Pedro assistant mall manager Christian Liston shared how they strive to empower homegrown community brands like Ms. Dauz and provide a space that will create opportunities for San Pedrenses.