Expanding Sustainability: SM Foundation's 2nd Rainwater Harvesting System

Health workers in San Fernando, Cebu Primary Healthcare Facility water the locally sourced plants using the water from the rainwater harvesting system.

Rainwater harvesting involves the collection and storage of rainwater for future use, serving as an efficient and flexible method to save water and reduce dependence on municipal water sources. Its effectiveness has made it a practice employed by various historical civilizations and is currently adopted by forward-thinking organizations as a sustainable water management approach.

An example of this is SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI), the social good branch of SM group, which has adopted rainwater harvesting systems in two recently renovated local health facilities: the Brgy. Irawan Birthing Facility in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and the San Fernando, Cebu Primary Health Care Facility. These initiatives are part of SMFI's Health and Medical Programs, which proactively incorporate this innovation to support the well-being of the local community while also contributing to environmental conservation.

Ready in times of emergency

Dr. Alfredo P. Manugas VI, Municipal Health Officer and Health Department Head of San Fernando, Cebu Primary Health Care Facility, said that while water is crucial to their operations, water supply is not always available in their municipality, even their center.

“The rainwater harvesting system is essential in our health facility because the water supply in our municipality is not available 24/7,” he said. “We are now provided a source of water in times of emergency or any interruption of water supply. Our staff and visitors can use rainwater for cleaning, flushing the toilet bowls, and watering the plants.”

SMFI Health and Medical Programs senior project manager Albert Uy runs through how the system functions.

SMFI ensures that the facility is convenient and manageable to maximize its purpose. It operates without electricity, increasing its sustainability. To harvest water for non-potable use, it collects rainwater from the roof and gutter. The water is filtered through vinyl-coated mesh filters to ensure its quality before being stored in the 800-liter storage tank.

To guide users for safe recycled water use, all faucets connected to the facility have visible labels. Alongside this innovation, SMFI also used air-cleaning paints, LED lighting fixtures and appliances, and locally sourced plants to create a clean and comfortable environment for patients and health workers.

These green innovations exemplify the SM group’s commitment to the environment and community health within the broader context of the SM Green Movement. With the social good impact of the two rainwater harvesting systems, SMFI targets to replicate this initiative in other health centers in its pipeline, further improving water security in the face of challenges.

Health workers use the rainwater harvesting system for their outdoor cleaning needs.