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 a 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 Jhe-Rico Sam Colina, the Chief Information Officer of the City Government of San Pedro City as it is seen to spur more local activity.
With hilly areas in the city, access to goods can be quite challenging to navigate around.
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 of SM from its anchor tenants like SM Hypermarket, and SM Appliance Center, among others it 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.
The potential rings true for a budding entrepreneur like Ms. Dauz and her passion for serving the community with her favorite food through her first café, Malia’s.
