Globe intensifies drive to recover PH’s depleted rainforests

Globe Telecom, together with Hineleban Foundation, Inc., has launched an intensive drive to educate the public and raise awareness about the severe state of Philippine primary rainforests that only have 1.5% of its cover remaining.

Globe targets to raise at least P18 million by end of 2021 on top of the estimated P12 million already donated from proceeds of the company’s paperless billing campaign and internal fundraising activities since December 2016. This time, the company is enjoining its partners and the public to participate in the reforestation drive. Globe has committed to donate P30 million within a 5-year period to cover 300 hectares of denuded primary rainforests in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur.

Bukidnon is prioritized as the starting point for rainforestation in Mindanao since it hosts four main mountain ranges that serve as the watersheds for the island and where six major rivers emanate, providing the much-needed water for drinking, hydro power, and irrigation for agriculture food production. Together with two other mountain ranges in Lanao del Sur, these six mountain ranges are vital for food, water and energy security in Mindanao.

Globe and Hineleban came out with online videos that educate the people on the causes and effects of forest denudation, and ways on how they can help address the problem.

“This initiative is in line with our environmental sustainability policy designed to lessen the impact of our operations to the environment as well as promote environmental sustainability among our customers and stakeholders.

It is also in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals which seek to protect, restore and sustainably manage our forests to stop land degradation and biodiversity loss,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

She added: “We hope that these videos would serve as an eye-opener to many Filipinos and drive them to take action.

“We believe that through small, simple ways, anyone can contribute in preserving and protecting the environment including our rainforests.”