Insider Spotlight
The two-day program brought together nearly 60 executives and representatives across the SM Group, underscoring growing private sector demand for science-based tools as climate and disaster risks intensify nationwide.
Why it matters
Large conglomerates like SM operate malls, banks, logistics, and energy assets across hazard-prone regions.
Access to location-specific risk data can shape safer investments, faster disaster response, and stronger community protection.
“As a group, we welcome this partnership as an important step in harnessing science-based tools to deepen our understanding of disaster and climate risks and in demonstrating how the public and private sectors can work together to protect our communities,” Koleen Davila Palaganas, head of the SM Group Sustainability Office, said in a press statement on Feb. 3, 2026.
“Given the SM Group’s presence across the regions, the effective use of GeoRiskPH can also contribute to the safety of our employees and communities, as well as enable faster and more informed disaster response and relief operations,” she added.
What they’re learning
GeoRiskPH is a suite of free, online tools that allow users to identify areas vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic hazards, floods, and other hydro-meteorological risks linked to climate change.
The platform shows the percent of land, population, and infrastructure exposed to hazards, helping organizations anticipate impacts before disasters strike.
Since its approval in 2019, GeoRiskPH has expanded into multiple applications, including HazardHunterPH for multi-hazard assessments, GeoMapperPH for exposure data collection, GeoAnalyticsPH for risk-informed planning, and PlanSmart for automated rehabilitation and land-use planning.
What they’re saying
“This initiative is a proactive solution to better equip our stakeholders such as local government units, national government agencies, and now the private sector to protect the livelihoods and lives of our communities,” said DOST-Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol.
“This partnership boosts confidence and trust within our communities to have the support of a longstanding public partner such as SM, which is now utilizing the platforms,” he added.
Chinabank chief sustainability officer William Quesang said the tools allow the bank to actively manage risk exposure and assess future branch locations, rather than reacting after disasters occur.
The bigger picture
The GeoRiskPH training forms part of SM Group’s broader climate risk assessment and its ongoing partnership with DOST.
In 2024, SM signed a memorandum of understanding with the agency covering sustainability initiatives, reinforcing public-private collaboration in disaster risk reduction.
SM Prime, the group’s property arm, continues to integrate resilience into building design, with seven properties achieving LEED Gold certification, while portfolio firm NEO develops green-certified, disaster-resilient offices in Bonifacio Global City.
For both government and business, the partnership signals a shift toward shared responsibility in safeguarding lives, assets, and long-term growth. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
