11 SM supermalls sweep energy efficiency awards

MANILA, Philippines - SM Prime Holdings recently swept the 2011 Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards when 11 of its supermalls garnered honors during ceremonies held at the Meralco Fitness Center’s All Purpose Room.

The awards are the Department of Energy’s tribute to Don Emilio Abello, who was known for his countless efforts to conserve energy and use fuel efficiency back in days when fuel was scarce and oil prices soared from $2/barrel to $10/barrel.

Don Emilio was in his late 60s and was chief executive officer of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) when the oil crisis occurred in 1973. He used his influence and resources to gather the Philippine Chamber of Industry, the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Rotary Clubs, and other trade and civic groups to join in the campaign of energy conservation.

The awards named in his honor were created to inspire other companies to exert their efforts and in sustaining economic growth and energy independence; and SM received five outstanding awards, two citations, and four special awards. Five outstanding energy managers from the SM Malls were also honored during the event.

The outstanding award is given to a company that has improved its energy performance by five percent from the previous year and has had substantial energy efficiency and conservation programs. The five SM malls that received this award are SM City North EDSA at 5.5 percent, SM City Baliwag at 9.9 percent, SM City Cagayan de Oro at 8.8 percent, SM Supercenter Valenzuela at 13.8 percent, and SM City Rosales at 8.6 percent.

Managers from these malls were also given outstanding energy manager awards – Rudyard Manalo of SM City North EDSA, Teddy Mueca of SM City Baliwag, Earl Ledonio of SM City Cagayan de Oro, Leopoldo Santos of SM Supercenter Valenzuela, and Alexander King of SM City Rosales.

Citations were given to SM City Santa Rosa (3.2 percent) and SM City Sucat (3.4 percent) for having improved by greater than three percent to lesser than five percent with substantial energy efficiency and conservation projects.

Special Awards were given to four SM Malls – SM City Santa Mesa (1.9 percent), SM City Cebu (2.7 percent), SM City Clark (two percent), and SM City Dasmariñas.

The SM Supermalls’ energy saving programs are spearheaded by the Environmental Committee of SM Cares, its corporate social responsibility arm.