The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading real estate developers in Southeast Asia, recently called on local public officials to avoid the extraction of groundwater and, instead, invest in rainwater collection for recycling and impoundment, as well as explore new technologies such as modular desalination and modular sewage treatment plants, to manage the effects of climate change on the country’s water resources.
At the multi-stakeholder forum,
“Towards a Greener Footprint”, in Iloilo City recently, Environment
Secretary Maria
Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga shared solutions-focused guidelines to help the local
government reduce carbon footprint, with emphasis on water conservation to
address the looming water crisis and increase access to safe water and
sanitation. From left to right: Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, journalist Ces
Drilon, Secretary Loyzaga, urban planning and landscape architect Paulo
Alcazaren, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) co-chair Michaela
Rossette Santo-Tayag and SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance
Liza Silerio. Photo credits to Arnold Almacen/Iloilo City Office of the Mayor.