September 22, 2014

2014 Green Retail Agenda: Disaster-proofing firms discussed in SM forum

The 2014 GREEN RETAIL AGENDA The Business Case for Disaster Risk Reduction Manila, Philippines was held at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, September 18, 2014.


In the past years, the SM Green Retail Agenda has focused more on climate change mitigation and, to a lesser degree, on adaptation. This year, with the increasing strength and frequency of natural disasters, it is important to create shared value within the private sector.

As a member of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Private Sector Partnerships, SM Supermalls seeks to educate, create awareness, and emphasize action points within the private sector and other key stakeholders to ensure disasters will be prepared for and recovered from.


The theme for this year’s conference is The Business Case for Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasizing the need to prepare for the unforeseen to protect our businesses and the community as a whole. Our roster of speakers will focus on disaster risk resilience, preparedness, tools and best practices to strengthen and empower the retail business and community amidst natural disasters.

Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., director of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
Disaster reduction experts discussed disaster preparedness measures to protect businesses and communities from natural calamities, new technologies in disaster management and communicating disaster preparations at the 2014 Green Retail Agenda, an annual symposium on sustainable business practices by SM Supermalls, held at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., director of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) shared his Topic in the symposium - "Earthquake Vulnerability of Metro Manila"


The Green Retail Agenda aims to address the lack of awareness on the relationship between business investment practices and disaster risks. SMPHI President Hans Sy underscored the need for businesses to understand that the growing environmental problem is relevant not just for the business community but for the economy as a whole.

“Trillions of dollars of new investments will pour into hazard-exposed regions. In most economies, the private sector is responsible for 70-85% of these new investments,” said Sy. “Therefore the decisions made by the private sector have far-reaching consequences on disaster risk accumulation and on underlying risk drivers.”
Atom Araullo, TV host and reporter of ABS-CBN

Speakers in the symposium included Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., director of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS); Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, director of Project NOAH; Atom Araullo, TV host and reporter of ABS-CBN; Nathaniel Cruz, former director of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); Sharon Almanza, Deputy national treasurer of Department of Finance; Vince Rapisura, President and CEO of SEDPI, Inc.; Ramon Isberto, Public Affairs head of Smart Communications; and Lesley Cordero, Undersecretary of Office of the Presidential Adviser for Rehabilitation and Recovery. Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines Julio Camarena-Villaseñor keynoted the event and shared how Mexico's proactive approach on disasters have garnered deep rooted resilience of its people.


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Abs-Cbn's TV Host and News reporter Atom Araullo shared his Topic in the symposium Media and Emergency Situation during the  2014 GREEN RETAIL AGENDA, The Business Case for Disaster Risk Reduction Manila, Philippines, held at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, September 18, 2014.

The Private Sector and Disaster Risk Reduction

In future, trillions of dollars of new business investment will pour into hazard-exposed regions, largely determining the outlook for disaster risk. In most economies, the private sector is responsible for 70–85 percent of this investment. Therefore, the decisions made by business in this respect have far-reaching consequences on disaster risk accumulation and on underlying risk drivers.

Yet, the relationship between business investment practices and disaster risk are poorly understood despite the issue being a growing problem for the business community and the economy as a whole.

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