SM Investments Corp., the parent company of the SM Group, has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) to strengthen disaster resilience through the use of hazard and risk information, according to a statement released Friday.
SM Investments Consultant and Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability Timothy Daniels and PHIVOLCS Director Teresito C. Bacolcol signed a memorandum of agreement on Friday covering SM’s use of GeoRiskPH, a government platform that provides information on natural hazards and related risks.
Under the agreement, 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 information will be used to support planning for SM’s properties and operations, including business continuity measures and long-term investment decisions.
“Partnerships like this with the private sector contribute significantly in helping us better understand the country’s multi-faceted needs regarding resilience,” Mr. Bacolcol said.
He added that integrating data-driven hazard assessment tools into business planning is important to disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
For SM, the partnership forms part of its efforts to incorporate climate adaptation and disaster resilience into its investment and asset management decisions.
“Understanding the risks around our properties and operations helps us make better decisions about where and how we invest,” Mr. Daniels said.
The partnership also highlights the role of private businesses in supporting national disaster resilience, particularly as SM continues to operate and expand properties across the country. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
