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How much do you really know about the SM Baguio Pine Trees?

SM City Baguio will soon roll out its plan for the redevelopment of the mall to give way to several benefits to its patrons. But unknown to many, because of SMs commitment to corporate social responsibility, especially when it comes to the environment, the company has made several measures to ensure that the environment is cared for and protected before, during, and after the redevelopment. In fact, many of these environmental measures have already been deliberately put in place long before any expansion has been planned. SMs commitment to the environment has always been holistic, strategic, and for the long-term. In a manner of speaking, it has to do with being able to see the trees, the forest, and the city all at the same time. Let us take a quick look at just some of SM City Baguios environmental programs in the light of the redevelopment of the mall. Re-greening of Baguio City Many are not aware that SM City Baguio has always played an active role in the re-greening of the city and has always been sensitive to the importance of environmental protection, including the pine trees of Baguio. Some facts that people do not know: SM City Baguio has been nurturing and taking care of around 1,130 trees within the mall property alone. The 182 trees that will be transferred due to the mall redevelopment account for roughly 16% of the trees that is currently being cared for. SM City Baguio will plant 10,000 saplings (young pine trees, not seedlings) this year plus 50,000 more the next three years, a total of 60,000 saplings - equivalent to more than 300 saplings for each tree that will be transferred. These trees will be nurtured and cared for until they grow well enough to survive on their own. Since 2005, way before the planned redevelopment, SM City Baguio has already planted over 8,000 pine saplings all over the region. Most of these pine trees are located at the Busol Watershed (around 3,000), Buyog Watershed (around 1,500), at Tuba Benguet (around 900), at Burnham Park (around 2,000), and at the SM City Baguio mall premises (around 800). The company is committed to help in propagating and nurturing pine trees not just within its premises. It has adopted certain areas in the city where it can plant more trees and further help in the re-greening of Baguio City and Benguet. These efforts will help secure the future of thousands upon thousands of pine trees. And the long-term benefits will be reaped by the residents of Baguio City, their children, and their childrens children for all generations to come. Absorption of Harmful Air Toxins Recognizing the importance of the prevention of air pollution, a Roof Garden will be part of the mall redevelopment. Aside from pine trees that will also be placed there, a select species of plants and trees that will absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as efficiently as the trees surrounding the mall. Experts have been consulted to ensure that species that will be used will be those with the highest absorption rate not just of carbon dioxide, but also formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene (TCI), and carbon monoxide. For example, aside from its many other advantages, bamboo can absorb 5 times more carbon dioxide than the same amount of trees and creates 35% more oxygen, and it naturally absorbs 2/3 more carbon dioxide and releases 2/3 more oxygen than any other plant. This is just one of those species that will be planted on the Roof Garden. Preventing Soil Erosion In 2005 and 2010, SM City Baguio experienced soil erosion in its Baguio property. Seeking permanent solutions and safety measures for thousands of mall visitors and to the surrounding areas of the mall, the company conducted a study and the collective inputs from several experts revealed that a careful enhancement of the area was the best way to address the concern for the long term.

With the redevelopment plan of SM City Baguio, the concrete structure that goes several meters below the ground will help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion within the SM property and the areas around it. It will reinforce the entire mall structure built on a sloping terrain and will ensure long-term stability and solution to soil erosion brought about by heavy rains. Flood Prevention and Water Supply With the trend of increased rainfall in several parts of the country, one of the potential problems is flooding due to water run-off. The redevelopment plan includes the building of an underground water reservoir. When the soil around the mall reaches its saturation point, especially during heavy rains, the water reservoir acts as a catch basin in order to prevent water from rushing off and flooding the areas that are lower than the existing elevation of the mall. This underground water reservoir can contain 6.9 million liters of water at any given time. If a mature pine tree can absorb up to 4,000 pounds of water, this means that the reservoir will hold the amount of water equal to that which can be absorbed by almost 4,000 pine trees. (Note: A liter of water weighs 1 kilogram or 2.2 lbs.) Because of the reservoir, the city's drainage system will also be freed from the said water, thereby helping in flood prevention. Furthermore, the spacious capacity of the water reservoir will benefit both the mall and the surrounding community, especially during times when the supply of water in Baguio is scarce. The collected water could then be recycled and used to supply water to local firetrucks, irrigation, watering of local parks and public facilities, and other non-potable purposes. Local Taxes that Help Community Funding It is not true that SM City Baguio does not pay tax to the city government. In fact, in 2010, the company had contributed 13% of the total income of Baguio City alone through the taxes it pays to the local government, aside from the taxes it pays to the national government. With the planned redevelopment, SM City Baguio is targeting to increase its local tax contribution, providing additional funds for the community and other public projects. Job Opportunities for the People of Baguio With the additional structure to be put up and with more store spaces to be added to SM City Baguios mall redevelopment, more than 1000 jobs shall be generated. Providing additional means of income to the people and added revenue to the city due to taxes that will be remitted by the employees. This additional spending power of the people will also initiate more businesses that will cater to their needs. Natural Lighting Among SM City Baguio's key green features is its energy-efficient architectural design, beginning with its translucent white roof that maximizes the use of available light, which in turn minimizes the use of electricity. And where the use of artificial lighting is necessary, SM City Baguio makes use of energy-efficient lighting equipment, such as LED lighting systems, which are actually more expensive than the regular fluorescent bulbs, to further minimize electricity usage. Green Parking For customers who choose to arrive by automobile, almost 1,200 additional parking spaces will be provided below the expansion, removing them from public view and from surrounding streets. By locating these parking spaces subsurface,

the expansion's impact on wooded surroundings will be reduced, as will undesirable "heat island effects" often encountered in other large shopping centers. Apart from this, Park Finders using LED lights are also incorporated in the design of the parking lot. These are lights above each parking space with automated sensors that indicate if the space is available (green light) or taken (red light). These lights can be seen from any part of the parking area. Customers with vehicles can then easily locate available spaces and lessen fuel consumption, as well as lower the emission of carbon dioxide caused by going around looking for parking space. Also included in the parking lot will be slots for 258 bicycles in order to encourage even greater energy conservation. Traffic Decongestion The new parking lot is also intended to decongest traffic by moving the cars parked on the street to the indoor multi-level parking lot. And to prevent a long line of vehicles going into the parking lot, which may cause traffic, there will be two entrances one along Session Road and another along Gov. Pack Road. This will provide an efficient flow of traffic going into and out of the parking lot preventing congestion and lowering carbon dioxide emission due to the vehicles waiting for their turn to enter the area.

Efficient Public Transit Access The mall, already located in close proximity to multiple public utility facilities will further encourage the use of energy efficient public transit by providing an additional mall entrance along Governor Pack road. Extended canopies stretching from all building frontages to the street will enhance the experience for patrons arriving by means other than private transportation. Partnership with Top Environmental Groups SM Prime Holdings has partnered with the U.S. Green Building Council. As a member of USGBC, the company committed itself to the mission and guiding principles of the organization in fostering a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy saving green buildings. The expanded and renovated SM City Baguio, planned as a seven-level open-air retail, dining, and entertainment structure, will rely almost exclusively on natural ventilation for the mall's wide public spaces. The project aims to be the first mall in the North Region to be certified by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the internationally recognized standard for green building design and construction developed by the USGBC. The project is designed to receive a LEED Gold Rating, which requires a minimum of 60 of the listed points, subject to the review and approval of the Green Building Council. Source: http://smsupermalls.com/smsupermalls/smbg_info/

Group 2 Fil 40 : Comprador Burgeoisie Kei Francisco, Camille Chen, Marco Hermosa, Sandino Joves, Sheelagh Magana

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