SM Prime, WWF enter 5th phase of conservation project

MANILA, Philippines — SM Prime Holdings Inc. has renewed its nearly two-decade partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) to strengthen marine conservation efforts at Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas.

SM Prime said on Wednesday that, through leisure resort residences developer Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI), it entered the fifth phase of the Hamilo Coast Sustainable Development Project. This builds on a partnership that began in 2007.

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The latest phase will focus on marine conservation and gathering updated environmental data to guide the long-term management of marine ecosystems, particularly within Hamilo Coast’s marine protected areas.

Among the initiatives is a site selection survey that will determine the ecological suitability of Pico de Loro Cove for a potential artificial coral reef.

Marine assessment surveys will also be conducted at Etayo Cove, Pico Cove and Santelmo Cove.

The project will hold Education for Sustainable Development sessions covering marine conservation and solid waste management for CDHI personnel, guests, owners and members.

“Our renewed partnership with WWF-Philippines builds on nearly two decades of collaboration and a shared commitment to long-term environmental stewardship,” said Harvey Sy, head of planning and design of SM Leisure Resort Residences.

Sy said the partners intend to pursue more integrated conservation initiatives aimed at strengthening biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.

Hamilo Coast is located within the Coral Triangle, a 5.7-million-square-kilometer region that is considered the world’s center of marine biodiversity.

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The area spans the waters of six countries, including the Philippines, and is home to more than three-quarters of the world’s coral species.

The renewed partnership comes as tourism growth brings both economic opportunities and environmental pressures to coastal destinations.

Previous phases brought together local governments, environmental groups, community representatives and locators for environmental assessments, capacity building and community engagement.

CDHI and WWF-Philippines said the updated environmental data would help guide habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation and long-term marine management strategies.

The initiatives are also expected to support sustainable tourism and fisheries while creating environmental and socioeconomic value for surrounding communities. INQ