SM Prime's Hans Sy champions private sector leadership in disaster resilience at UNDRR Global Platform 2025
Hans Sy speaking in the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and co-chaired by the Government of Switzerland. Photo from Antoine Tardy for the UNDRR.
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy reaffirmed the vital role of the private sector in disaster risk reduction (DRR) during the 2025 Global Platform of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), held in Geneva, Switzerland.
Representing the Philippine private sector at the Ministerial Roundtable on 'Accelerating Financing and Resilience,' Sy underscored how businesses can help drive scalable, science-based resilience solutions.
Private sector as a force multiplier in DRR
'Resilience strengthens businesses while safeguarding lives and communities,' Sy stated. 'We know the government cannot do it alone. The private sector is ready to do more.'
Sy underscores the need for policies, incentives, and institutional support to scale up disaster risk reduction investments at the UNDRR Global Platform 2025.
He cited SM Prime's integrated approach to DRR, which includes allocating a significant portion of project costs to disaster-resilient infrastructure and applying science-driven planning frameworks.
Sy also pointed to cross-sector initiatives such as the Adopt-a-City Program with the National Resilience Council and joint capacity-building programs with ARISE Philippines and the Department of Trade and Industry as examples of effective public-private partnerships.
Embedding resilience into core business strategy
In a High-Level Dialogue on scaling DRR financing, Sy outlined SM Prime's approach to mainstreaming resilience across its developments. He highlighted features such as elevated mall structures, built-in rainwater catchment systems, and earthquake-resistant designs—solutions that have minimized disruption and enabled rapid recovery in the face of disaster.
The SM Mall of Asia Complex features a higher seawall and elevated design to guard against rising sea levels. (Inset) Deep, wide drainage channels—large enough to fit two buses side by side—further protect the area from storm surge flooding.
Call to scale resilience investment
To expand DRR financing, Sy called for enabling mechanisms that combine policy support, institutional cooperation, and targeted incentives. 'From the standpoint of the private sector, financial, non-financial and regulatory incentives are among the most effective ways to accelerate investment in resilience,' he noted.
His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking in building resilient communities. SM Prime's leadership in DRR continues to set a benchmark for sustainable development in disaster-prone regions.
'Together, we can embed resilience to build a sustainable and secure future for all,' he concluded.
The article above is a sponsored press release from SM Prime Holdings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
SM Prime's Hans Sy champions private sector leadership in disaster resilience at UNDRR Global Platform 2025
Hans Sy speaking in the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and co-chaired by the Government of Switzerland. Photo from Antoine Tardy for the UNDRR. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy reaffirmed the vital role of the private sector in disaster risk reduction (DRR) during the 2025 Global Platform of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), held in Geneva, Switzerland. Representing the Philippine private sector at the Ministerial Roundtable on 'Accelerating Financing and Resilience,' Sy underscored how businesses can help drive scalable, science-based resilience solutions. Private sector as a force multiplier in DRR 'Resilience strengthens businesses while safeguarding lives and communities,' Sy stated. 'We know the government cannot do it alone. The private sector is ready to do more.' Sy underscores the need for policies, incentives, and institutional support to scale up disaster risk reduction investments at the UNDRR Global Platform 2025. He cited SM Prime's integrated approach to DRR, which includes allocating a significant portion of project costs to disaster-resilient infrastructure and applying science-driven planning frameworks. Sy also pointed to cross-sector initiatives such as the Adopt-a-City Program with the National Resilience Council and joint capacity-building programs with ARISE Philippines and the Department of Trade and Industry as examples of effective public-private partnerships. Embedding resilience into core business strategy In a High-Level Dialogue on scaling DRR financing, Sy outlined SM Prime's approach to mainstreaming resilience across its developments. He highlighted features such as elevated mall structures, built-in rainwater catchment systems, and earthquake-resistant designs—solutions that have minimized disruption and enabled rapid recovery in the face of disaster. The SM Mall of Asia Complex features a higher seawall and elevated design to guard against rising sea levels. (Inset) Deep, wide drainage channels—large enough to fit two buses side by side—further protect the area from storm surge flooding. Call to scale resilience investment To expand DRR financing, Sy called for enabling mechanisms that combine policy support, institutional cooperation, and targeted incentives. 'From the standpoint of the private sector, financial, non-financial and regulatory incentives are among the most effective ways to accelerate investment in resilience,' he noted. His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking in building resilient communities. SM Prime's leadership in DRR continues to set a benchmark for sustainable development in disaster-prone regions. 'Together, we can embed resilience to build a sustainable and secure future for all,' he concluded. The article above is a sponsored press release from SM Prime Holdings.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
PH acquires 12 FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea for over $700M
File image of an FA-50 jet fighter by Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. The Philippine government, through the Department of National Defense (DND), has acquired 12 FA-50 Block 70 light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) of the Republic of Korea. In a news release, the DND said the acquisition of fighter jets was part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The Defense Department said a Notice to Proceed was issued earlier this month, formalizing the fighter jet purchase contract valued at over $700 million. "The comprehensive package includes mission equipment, integrated logistics support, and a training and logistics information system," it said. "The FA-50 Block 70 represents the latest evolution of the FA-50 platform, featuring advanced avionics, modern radar systems, and extended operational range. Its acquisition marks a significant enhancement to the country's air defense capabilities and aligns with the DND's Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept," it added. The delivery of the aircraft will be carried out in phases over the next five years, with full completion targeted by 2030, according to the Defense Department. "The acquisition underscores the Philippine government's continued commitment to national defense and further strengthens bilateral defense cooperation with the Republic of Korea," the DND said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
DOE downplays Israel-Iran tensions impact on fuel prices
The Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday brushed off the potential upward pressure on retail prices of petroleum resulting from the tensions between Israel and Iran. 'We will have to take a look at the actual impact, we should not engage in speculation at this point that will duly alarm our people,' Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said at a press conference in Taguig City. The Energy chief noted that actual prices of petroleum are still far from the peaks 'we have experienced since the start of this administration.' 'We have as high as more than $100 per barrel. But right now, even with the these incidents they have not spiked to that extent yet,' Lotilla said. 'Event if it reaches the higher levels, the likelihood of a significantly higher prices will be minimal,' he said. A report by Reuters said Brent crude futures rose 9.07% to $75.65 a barrel on Friay, after Israel struck Iran. Israel said early on Friday that it struck Iran, and Iranian media said explosions were heard in Tehran as tensions mounted over US efforts to win Iran's agreement to halt production of material for an atomic bomb. Lotilla, however, said the Philippine government has no control of the situation. 'Let us hope that the passage to the Gulf of Hormuz is not going to be impeded. While Saudi Arabia has committed to an increase in oil supplies and has an alternative outlet in the Red Sea portion of its territory… It has to pass through the Gulf of Hormuz,' the Energy chief said. DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales, for his part, said that 'in the medium term, the pressure is for oil price to be stable in that region.' 'When I say low, it's between $60 and $70 [per barrel] because the OPEC+ has already made a decision to gradually ease the restriction of their supply … their own self-imposed supply restrictions,' Sales said. 'There are estimates that by next year because of this, loosening up of their restrictions, the world supply will be an 'oversupply' by close to a million barrels,' the DOE official said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
