SMHCC sets the bar for green procurement in the country’s hospitality sector
WITH more than five billion people expected to be on Earth by 2050, the concern about achieving a quality life remains. Climate change, global warming, deforestation, waste disposal, loss of biodiversity, and many other issues continue to confront us. Our actions have unfortunately degraded our environment and the exploitation of our resources have reached an alarming rate. We are clearly living far beyond our planet’s capacity to support us. What can we do to survive and withstand this?
Transformation is key. We must innovate and redefine our ways of working. In this manner, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp (SMHCC) actively pursues and lives out the concept of sustainability. While the company provides infrastructure to support and contribute to nationwide growth and development, its strategic directions are supported with strategic action programs and action plans that will drive change.
As part of its thrust towards Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in the Philippines, SMHCC recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Inc. (PCEPSDI). The agreement highlights
SMHCC’s commitment to promote sustainable tourism aimed at encouraging greater involvement on greener consumption. SMHCC Executive Vice-President Peggy Angeles further reiterates that “SMHCC’s partnership with PCEPSDI solidifies the company’s objective to upgrade our sustainability programs, core practices and internal capacity building by applying SCP practices such as: resource efficiency and cleaner production, greening the supply chain and green procurement, and waste management among others.”
Specifically, SMHCC spearheaded an awareness program on green procurement through a full-day workshop conducted by PCEPSDI attended by a total of 100 top suppliers of Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Pico de Loro Club, Tagaytay Highlands, SM Investments Corporation procurement group, and SM Retail.
The green procurement workshop was able to educate and professionalize both the procurement staff and suppliers who are the significant drivers of the program. Sustainable product specifications were set and identified such as the use of paper materials for goods & packaging and green cleaning products for housekeeping.