News and Features
Smart Responds To Global Warming Concerns
Via comprehensive tree planting initiatives
[May 26, 2007/ Manila] - Deforestration is one of the most pressing and profound challenges of our time. Environmentalists caution humankind against the possible consequences of forest reduction, along with the continued use of fossil fuels and rising levels of greenhouse emissions. The implications may be devastating--increased risks of droughts and floods, alarming sea-level rise, soil erosion and river siltation, challenges to biodiversity and public health, catastrophes that may cause loss of livelihood, and worse, loss of life.
Between 1990 and 2007, the Philippines has already lost over 3,412,000 hectares, representing more than one-third, of its forest cover. If the disturbing deforestration rate of two percent per year continues, it is seen that the country’s greenery will be down to a critical 2% by year 2010.
Branching Out
Since 2004, leading wireless services provider, Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) has been embarking on a series of tree planting activities as its response to the problems posed by global warming. Through its Smart Employees Responding as Volunteers in the Community and Environment (S.E.R.V.I.C.E.) program, Smart has already contributed more than 50,000 seedlings in locations spanning the Benguet, Bohol, Cebu, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Marikina, Siargao, Zamboanga, the coast of Gen. Nakar, Quezon, the slopes of Mt. Banahaw, the banks of La Mesa Ecopark, and just recently, the watershed of Caliraya.
Organized jointly with the National Power Corporation Caliraya-Lumot Watershed Area Team (CLWAT), the tree planting project—the first in 2007 for both Smart and Napocor, covered a section of the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed (CLW) which was declared a reservation under Presidential Proclamation No. 573. It is located 105 kilometers southeast of Metro Manila in the municipalities of Cavinti, Kalayaan and Lumban, in the province of Laguna. With a total area of 9,604.12 hectares, the CLW is the lifeblood of the CBK Power Plant Complex, yielding water for the purpose of power generation.
Seeds of Hope
As in previous tree planting projects, Smart employee volunteers devoted an entire work day as their significant stride to avert the disturbing trend of deforestration, and ultimately, global warming. What made the effort doubly meaningful was the planting of endemic species grown and nurtured at the tree nursery of Brgy. Banglos, Gen. Nakar Quezon.
Brgy. Banglos is one of the adopted communities of Smart and PLDT together with Gawad Kalinga. It made headlines in December 2004 after four consecutive typhoons caused the town to lay in utter ruin and isolation, leaving nearly 5,000 families homeless. Barely two months after the typhoons, SMART and PLDT, together with Gawad Kalinga, laid down a blueprint towards rebuilding Banglos under its Project Nakar program.
The project involved the construction of the Smart Amazing GK Village for Banglos residents, as well as livelihood training under the tutelage of master sculptor Rey Contreras on the art of wood carving. Also, in partnership with Haribon Foundation, Smart initiated a reforestation project to spur Gen. Nakar residents to plant trees along the banks of the Agos River and help prevent riverbank erosion in the future.
Smart funded the collection of saplings and seedlings and wildlings – indigenous trees – and the set-up of a nursery. A two-day training was conducted to community members on reforestation and maintenance of the nursery, which was set up near the Smart Amazing GK Village.
Fruits to Reap
Smart faces 2007 with a renewed sense of commitment. Its tree planting activities complement its existing initiatives on alternative energy sourcing as seen in its wind-powered cellsite and conscious reduction of fossil fuel usage. All these will form part of a comprehensive campaign to address the problems posed by climate change.
Furthermore, Smart plans to promote more employee volunteerism projects and to sustain its tree planting activities. “It is said that every year, an average tree converts 26 pounds of carbon dioxide into enough oxygen for a family of four. Just imagine how many families we will save by saving trees. We are doing this for our children and our children’s children.” says Darwin F. Flores, Smart Public Affairs Group senior manager for community partnerships.
Indeed, Smart is hopeful that its initiatives will result to a better and livable future for generations to come. Smart Public Affairs Head, Ramon R. Isberto further says, “We want to commit ourselves to action. We pride ourselves that parallel to our significant products and services to the public, we render meaningful service to the planet as well.”
