SM tapped as first mall operator to roll out DOE’s Oras Natin sa Efficiency (O.N.E.) effort

SM Supermalls and the Department of Energy lead the launch of the O.N.E. (Oras Natin sa Efficiency) campaign at the SM Mall of Asia Globe, promoting collective action for energy efficiency nationwide.

(L-R)

Director Patrick T. Aquino, CESO III, Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB), Department of Energy, Mr. Joaquin L. San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing, SM Supermalls, Assistant Secretary Mandy Romero, Department of Energy, Ms. Nicole Cordovez, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2016, Secretary Sharon S. Garin, Department of Energy, Honorable Imelda G. Calixto-Rubiano, Pasay City Mayor, Engr. Junias M. Eusebio, Vice President for Mall Operations, SM Supermalls, Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan, Department of Energy, Ms. Mhicaela "Bella" Belen, and Ms. Pauline Gaston.

SM joined the Department of Energy (DOE) in rolling out O.N.E.: Oras Natin sa Efficiency, a nationwide energy efficiency movement that calls on Filipinos to turn awareness into action through simple, collective energy-saving habits.

Launched through a ceremonial switch-off event at the Mall of Asia Globe, the campaign champions the importance of responsible energy use amid the country’s State of National Energy Emergency, declared under Executive Order No. 110, s. 2026, which cites geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions as critical threats to national energy security. 

The O.N.E. campaign, anchored on the message “One Hour, One Energy, One Nation,” encourages coordinated energy reduction as a shared national habit. For SM, this means participating in anenergy reduction window where participating properties will switch off non-essential lights and reduce unnecessary energy use. 

During the ceremony, SM expressed its support for DOE’s call for energy responsibility, emphasizing that energy security is a shared concern that affects homes, businesses, communities, and the daily lives of millions of Filipinos.

Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin delivers the keynote message during the launch of the O.N.E. (Oras Natin sa Efficiency) campaign at SM Mall of Asia, reinforcing the call for collective action toward energy efficiency nationwide.

“At first, one hour may seem small. One switch turned off. One appliance unplugged. One light dimmed. But when many people do it together, across homes, malls, offices, and communities, that one hour becomes something bigger. It becomes a shared habit. It becomes a national effort. It becomes a reminder that each of us has a role to play in protecting our country’s energy future,” said Junias M. Eusebio, Vice President for Operations, SM Supermalls. 

As part of its operational commitment, SM will assign energy officers to monitor participation and report actual energy savings to the DOE. The initiative will also include the switch-off of non-essential lights such as pylons, façade lighting, and decorative displays during the designated reduction window, supported by proper coordination and monitoring across participating properties.

Engr. Junias M. Eusebio, Vice President for Mall Operations of SM Supermalls, highlights the company’s operational commitment to energy efficiency in support of the Department of Energy’s O.N.E. (Oras Natin sa Efficiency) campaign at SM Mall of Asia.

 

Beyond the ceremonial switch-off, SM emphasized that the campaign is about building lasting habits. Through its nationwide network of most-loved malls, SM will continue to share DOE-provided energy efficiency tips and information materials with tenants, employees, customers, and millions of daily visitors—encouraging them to carry the practice beyond the mall and into their homes and workplaces. 

“It is not just about one hour. It is about what that one hour teaches us. That energy efficiency can be practical. That sustainability can be part of everyday life. That small habits, when shared by many, can help move a nation forward,” Tan added.

Pasay City Mayor Imelda G. Calixto-Rubiano expresses support for the O.N.E. (Oras Natin sa Efficiency) campaign at SM Mall of Asia, underscoring the vital role of local government units in advancing energy efficiency and sustainability efforts.

The O.N.E. campaign also aligns with SM Cares’ long-term environmental advocacy and the broader SM Green Movement, which promotes responsible energy use, climate action, and everyday sustainability practices. SM continues to strengthen its sustainability efforts through energy-efficient operations, solar initiatives, and EV charging efforts across its properties. 

Through its support for DOE’s O.N.E. campaign, SM reinforces the role of the private sector in helping strengthen national energy responsibility—showing that even the smallest actions, when done together and repeated consistently, can create meaningful impact.

Together, one hour can count for one nation. 

SM Supermalls’ sustainability journey

The mall operator continues to pioneer eco-friendly programs

MANILA, Philippines — SM Supermalls’ quest to create a more sustainable, greener planet began in the 1990s with the installation of a wastewater treatment plant at SM Southmall. The pioneering initiative, which recycles wastewater for irrigation and sanitary systems, laid the foundation for the company’s long-standing drive toward environmental stewardship and resource conservation. 

The man behind the concept was Mr. Hans Sy, the current Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings. Apart from his business acumen, Mr. Sy is regarded within the community as a champion of environmental sustainability, believing that business growth and environmental responsibility should go hand in hand. 

Mr. Sy’s groundbreaking vision has been deeply ingrained in how SM Supermalls are designed and managed. Over the years, the institution has launched industry-first programs that focus on waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, and air quality — all of which have helped improve environmental conditions and the quality of life in surrounding communities.

SM Supermalls’ enduring commitment to sustainability was already in motion before the Securities and Exchange Commission’s mandate for publicly listed companies and large non-listed entities to submit sustainability disclosures, effective in fiscal year 2026. 

Its water conservation efforts have recycled approximately 6.6 million cubic meters of wastewater — equivalent to almost 3,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools — across its malls annually. In SM Baguio specifically, over 19,000 cubic meters of rainwater have been recycled for kitchen and operational use, benefiting adjacent communities by conserving valuable water. 

Moreover, its Trash To Cash Recycling Market has collected approximately 1.5 million kilograms of recyclables every year, and has continuously encouraged patrons to visit their most-loved SM Supermall to join the movement toward waste segregation. Its energy management initiatives have seamlessly woven form and function into its SkyGardens and open spaces, which provide natural ventilation and have drastically improved air quality for its patrons.

Over the last few years, the mall operator has been leading the charge towards eco-friendly power options. It currently has an estimated 200,000 solar panels on 65 hectares of rooftops across its properties. The vast energy system powers mall operations while reducing the overall carbon footprint. The initiative has equipped SM Supermalls amid pressures to seek alternative energy sources during the energy crisis.

SM Supermalls is continuously expanding its electric-vehicle charging infrastructure to support the shift to sustainable mobility networks. It currently has 160 EV charging stations across its malls, with plans to scale up.

And as it moves forward, SM Supermalls will continue to pioneer innovative solutions that aim to create long-term positive impact for future generations. It will leverage its decades-long pledge to help shape greener, more resilient urban spaces. Sustainability will remain at the core of SM Supermalls’ vision. As it broadens its footprint across the country, so will its commitment to strengthening the well-being of nearby communities.