Insider Spotlight
The parent company of the SM group partnered with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to use GeoRiskPH, a government platform that consolidates information on natural hazards and related risks.
Why it matters
SM will use GeoRiskPH tools including HazardHunterPH Pro, Geomapper PH, PlanSmart and GeoAnalyticsPH to assess potential hydrometeorological and geological hazards affecting its facilities, assets and operational sites.
The partnership will allow SM to factor scientific hazard information into property planning, business continuity and longer-term investment decisions as the group continues to expand its footprint nationwide.
What they’re saying
DOST-PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol and SM Investments consultant and head of investor relations and sustainability Timothy Daniels formalized the partnership through a memorandum of agreement, the company said in a release.
"Partnerships like this with the private sector contribute significantly in helping us better understand the country's multi-faceted needs regarding resilience," Bacolcol said.
"The government actively encourages more public-private partnerships of this nature, as integrating data-driven hazard tools in businesses is essential for sustainable national development and effective disaster risk reduction."
For SM, bringing government hazard information into its planning is part of a broader strategy to build resilience into its businesses and the communities where it operates.
"SM has always taken a long-term view of its investments. Understanding the risks around our properties and operations helps us make better decisions about where and how we invest," Daniels said.
"Working with DOST-PHIVOLCS gives us access to the country's scientific expertise and better information to strengthen our businesses and the communities we serve."
The bigger picture
The initiative connects disaster preparedness with capital allocation, asset management and business continuity — areas that are becoming increasingly important as companies contend with physical risks from natural hazards and climate change.
For a group with businesses and properties spread across the Philippines, better local hazard information can help identify vulnerabilities before investments are made while strengthening preparations around existing assets.
The partnership also highlights a growing role for public-private collaboration in disaster resilience, with government-generated scientific data finding practical applications in corporate planning.
As SM continues to expand across the country, integrating hazard science into its investment decisions could help the group pursue growth while building greater resilience into the businesses, properties and communities that support it. —Princess Daisy Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
