In photo: Flying Foxes in Bukidnon. Photo by Neil Konrad Binayao of Hineleban Foundation.
Globe recognizes the major roles that technology and environmental sustainability play in elevating local communities, and ensuring their resilience to climate change. Since 2016, Globe and its customers have already raised a total of P15.6 million (equivalent to 156 hectares of reforestation sites) managed by its reforestation partner Hineleban Foundation, particularly in the areas of Lirongan and Bagalangit in Bukidnon.
Bukidnon is one of the areas where the telco is doing conservation work, to replenish and preserve the remaining primary forests in the country. Despite its natural beauty, Bukidnon has been a victim to severe environmental degradation caused by the loss of forest cover for agriculture use and fires resulting in upland erosion, siltation of rivers, and flooding in lowland communities.
Hineleban Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The collaboration, which began in 2016, seeks to address current environmental issues through rainforestation using indigenous and native trees.
By augmenting the highland forests of Mindanao, Globe and Hineleban Foundation help secure water and food for the region and, ultimately, the country, as Mindanao essentially functions as “the food basket of the Philippines.”
The effort has already increased the overall biodiversity of the land, turning grasslands into standing forests that various flora and fauna can inhabit. The reforestation has given rise to increasing numbers of large flying f00oxes and at least two visiting Philippine eagles.
The partnership also helps local indigenous communities of Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur, such as the Kaliwawa Salawagan Talaandig Tribal Agricultural Cooperative, supporting 52 indigenous families growing crops within their own backyards for food security and sustainable income. These families assist Globe and Hineleban in reforestation initiatives.
“We are grateful to Globe for being a reliable ally in our reforestation efforts. Our partnership is a true testament that there are no limits to what we can achieve when various stakeholders come together. Our rainforestation team takes extra steps to ensure each seedling thrives and takes deep root in the soil – and doesn’t burn – in the first years of its long life,” said Georgia Perrine, Hineleban Foundation General Manager.
Globe encourages its customers to donate their Rewards points or GCash credits to Hineleban. Every 100 Rewards point or Php100 GCash donation is equivalent to one tree planted. Download the Globe Rewards app via https://www.globe.com.ph/rewards.html#GRewardsApp on the mobile device and click the “DONATE” banner. Tap “HINELEBAN100” and press “REDEEM.”
Environmental sustainability, however, is not enough to uplift the lives of the people. It has to be paired with a reliable communication service to allow residents to take advantage of various digitalization opportunities.
Thus, Globe aggressively rolls out network upgrades and site expansions that make it possible for customers in Bukidnon to elevate their call, text, and data browsing experience. The technology company has installed one new tower each in Pangantucan, Manolo Fortich and Lantapan. Globe was also able to complete 124 site upgrades—from 3G to 4G LTE—in 21 cities and towns in the province.
“It is our fervent commitment to improve our network to enable us to provide best quality service to our customers, not only in highly urbanized areas but also in other places where connectivity has become a basic essential for our kababayans. We understand their concerns and we are doing our best to give them the connectivity that they deserve,” said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group.
Globe has earmarked P76 billion for capital expenditures this year, a big bulk of which goes to network rollout and expansion, deployment of 5G in more areas, and the fiberization of at least one million homes.
Globe supports 10 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 15 centered on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss as well as UN SDG No. 13 which promotes urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
To know more about Globe’s sustainability programs, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html.
