SM City Baguio hosted a sustainability tour for University of the Cordilleras Senior High School students and to inspire younger generations to embrace sustainable practices.
The sustainable tour allowed the students to witness SM’s sustainable solutions. They saw the rainwater treatment facility that collects rainwater, processes it through multiple filtration systems, and converts it into potable water. “The rainwater treatment facility natin is one of the first dito sa SM City Baguio, so this is actually award-winning and for SM naman kami po ang nagpilot dito dahil taken sa Baguio City madalas maulan tayo,” the SM Manager, John Philip Baysac said. They use non-potable water in watering plants in the mall and recycled water in restrooms.
The tour also included a visit to SM’s second electric vehicle (EV) charging station, which opened to the public two months ago and is offered free of charge. This station is part of SM’s broader effort to support green transportation and reduce carbon emissions.
In addition, the students visited the mall’s nursery, where the pine tree seedlings are. Other sustainable initiatives of the mall include turning off lights or using dim lights for one hour; air conditioners only used in closed spaces inside the mall; providing bicycle racks or stands; and waste management practices, including recycling materials like bottled water containers and cartons. They also set a date for the community to exchange their old or damaged electric devices like chargers for money.
Rhazes Layao, a Grade 11 student, said, “I think it helps Baguio city to further enhance its goals regarding how eco-friendly it is. It promotes environmental sustainability and it also supports SDG goals (Sustainable Development Goals), which is really nice kasi we know especially with how our climate is –how climate changes right now l think it will help us a lot talaga po.”
The sustainability tour is usually done quarterly and depends on schools’ requests. This sustainable tour is part of the University of the Cordilleras’ environmental awareness program for the students. With this tour, SM City Baguio ensures that its sustainable efforts inspire more people, especially the young ones, to help make the community better as it faces several environmental issues. By Joan Dalacan
