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| SM Center San Pedro (Image Source: The Manila Times/SM Supermalls) |
The SM Group through its property arm SM Prime Holdings Inc. is spurring local economic growth with its recent expansion in the local communities of Laguna after the opening of its new 23,000 square meters shopping mall, SM Center San Pedro. Rested atop a hill-like spot in the city’s Upper Village, SM Center San Pedro joins SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Calamba, and SM City San Pablo as the fourth SM mall in Laguna.
News of the mall opening was well received by San Pedrenses said San Pedro City LGU's Chief Information Officer Jhe-Rico Sam Colina as it is seen to spur more local activity. “Noong nagkaroon ng balita na magkakaroon ng SM dito sa amin, excited ang mga tao, kasi yung usual na pinupuntahan nila kagaya ng bayan, malayo pa. (The people got excited when the news of SM opening in the area. To buy what they need, they usually go to the bayan, which is quite far away.) For leisure, grocery, and whatnot, minsan (sometimes) they’d have to go to Biñan or as far as Muntinlupa,” said Jhe-Rico. With hilly areas in the city, access to goods can be quite challenging to navigate around. “We have a lower or the town proper and then the Upper Villages here in San Pedro. Kung bibiyahe ka (if you're going to travel) from here [where SM Center San Pedro is located] to bayan (the city proper), it would take 30 to 40 minutes, by jeepney ito,” he added.
Some of the Group’s retail affiliates in SM Center San Pedro, including SM Appliance Center, note that 86% of its employees are San Pedro residents. Similarly, Watsons Philippines has 60% of its team members coming from the city. In the mall’s administration office, 52% of the workforce are all locally hired from San Pedro. Beyond the staple offerings from its anchor tenants like SM Hypermarket and SM Appliance Center among others, SM is also a partner for sustainable initiatives. The mall utilizes low-emissivity (Low E) glass for windows and skylights most evident in SM Center San Pedro’s Event Center. For a more responsible management of natural resources, the mall’s water treatment plant and LED light fixtures complement one another to ensure efficiency in energy consumption. A forward-looking feature such as the designated electric vehicle (EV) charging station is also open to all mall-goers located in the basement parking.
Enabling local small businesses
Vina Dauz has been serving cooked food party trays, desserts and other delectable Filipino treats to the neighboring communities of San Pedro, Laguna for over five years. Although she has a thriving online presence, her dream has always been to run her very own café. When the leasing officer from then soon-to-open SM Center San Pedro called her about bringing a café concept to her community, it was a yes right away. SM Center San Pedro Assistant Mall Manager Christian Liston shared how they strive to empower homegrown community brands like Ms. Dauz and provide a space that will create opportunities for San Pedrenses. “With the opening of SM’s 84th mall, we further strengthen our support to communities in the south by bringing convenience and our distinct brand of service to San Pedro. We believe in the potential of the community and are eager to help bring opportunities to the city,” said Liston. The potential rings true for a budding entrepreneur like Ms. Dauz and her passion serving the community with her favorite food through her first café Malia’s. “You know, I grew up going to SM. Laking SM ako, eh. That’s why we were very thankful when they gave us the award notice. If it weren’t for SM, we wouldn’t be able to support this dream,” said Ms. Dauz.
