Globe Telecom, Inc. said it will ramp up collaborative initiatives with its customers in order to double efforts on reforestation, watershed conservation, and carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction efforts to combat climate change.

So far, the company raised P15.65 million for these efforts, which will be used to cover 156 hectares of reforestation sites in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur through its long-term partnership with Hineleban Foundation. 

This, as Globe encourages its customers to donate their Rewards points or GCash credits in the company’s reforestation and conservation efforts.

Every 100 Rewards points donation is equivalent to one tree, and every P100 donation via GCash is equivalent to 1 tree planted.

By planting a healthy mix of interim species Calliandra and indigenous tree species such as Narra, White, and Red Lauaan, Mamalis, Bitaog, Ulayan and Katii, Globe and Hineleban have sequestered a conservative estimate of 25,083.13 metric tons (MT) of C02 with the aim of reducing 96,069.04 MT of C02 by 2025.

Hineleban Foundation worked with Banga Watershed Farmers Development Cooperative (BFWDC) in the initial stages of the rainforestation program with Globe.

Now, Hineleban Foundation is working with the Kaliwawa Salawagan Talaandig Tribal Agricultural Cooperative (KASATATRIACO) consisting of 52 families to help in succeeding reforestation activities.

Apart from its partnership with Hineleban, Globe also engaged in a 5-year partnership with The Mead Foundation starting in 2019 to undertake permanent reforestation activities in the upland areas of Iba, Zambales.

This area has been severely denuded, leading to issues with loss of flora and fauna, invasive cogon grass establishment, and regular fires.

To date, an initial 3 hectares were planted with more than 30,000 seedlings. More native and indigenous trees will soon be planted once pioneer species mature.

The project also provided livelihood to the displaced Aeta communities, both in the planting activities and the foundation’s ongoing forest ranger programs.

Globe likewise engaged with the Zoological Society of London for its mangrove rehabilitation program in Iloilo which is set to start this year.

“The task of restoring our rainforests is massive and goes beyond planting trees. Together with our customers and other stakeholders, we can also help protect critical watersheds, increase biodiversity, establish forest habitats, sequester greenhouse gases, and improve local livelihoods,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.

To recall, 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 SDG No. 13 which promotes urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.