SM Prime opens 2 Luzon malls

MANILA, Philippines — SM Prime Holdings has opened two more malls in Luzon – SM Puerto Princesa City and SM Tuguegarao.

The SM Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and SM Tuguegarao in Cagayan province highlight SM Prime’s commitment to building environment friendly developments.

The opening of the two new malls is also part of efforts to reduce the property firm’s carbon footprint.

 Architect Fides Garcia-Hsu, vice president of SM’s Engineering, Design and Development, said the newly opened SM City Puerto Princesa has cost-efficient, energy saving as well as disaster-mitigation features.

 Restaurant and toilet waste are treated through the sewage treatment plant and rainwater collection is incorporated with the water recycling system which will be repurposed for toilet flushing, plants irrigation, cleaning or maintenance and other non-potable purposes that help in the conservation of freshwater.

“Recycled water will also be used in the air-conditioning system’s chilled water and cooling towers to reduce fresh water consumption. Paver blocks are strategically used in the parking areas to allow rainwater penetration in the grounds to replenish underground water table,” said Garcia-Hsu.

 On the other hand, SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown uses LED lighting and has solar panels installed on the roof deck which can provide 484 KW of electricity.

Its interior is organized around an efficient “T” shaped plan that allows a clear line-of-sight to multiple shops on multiple levels at all times. 

There will be a lot of clear areas, escalators and a centrally located elevator and stairs, that provide for optimal customer convenience and access to all portions of the mall.

SM Prime believes that investing in sustainability safeguards the welfare of customers, tenants and the malls’ host communities.

“More than distinct and iconic designs, SM also takes great care in considering that the designs fit a purpose, for the convenience of shoppers, for energy conservation, for higher visibility of tenants and for easier navigation which have always been the lessons from our founder, Mr. Henry Sy,” Garcia-Hsu said.