Globe, Singtel volunteers sanib-puwersa (Sa tree-planting sa Iba, Zambales)

MULING bumisita sa bansa ang mga employee volunteer mula sa Singtel ng Singapore upang makibahagi sa 8th Overseas Volunteering Program (OVP) ng Singtel Group na ini-host ng Globe Telecom.

Ang grupo ng anim na Singtel at 13 Globe volunteers ay nagtungo sa Iba Botanicals eco-village sa Iba, Zambales upang magtanim ng Acacia, Kakawati, Langka, at Kasoy sa mga lugar na malawakang nakalbo ang kagubatan.

Ang Iba Botanicals ay operational partner ng The Mead Foundation at nagkakaloob ng mahahalagang project management at operational oversight activities para sa lahat ng reforestation at environment-related projects na nagaganap sa at para sa Iba.

Matatagpuan sa Bancal River, isa itong 164-hectare farm na may Ylang-Ylang plantation na namumunga ng oil at organic crops para sa merkado. Ang farm ay mayroong modern five-bedroom lodge na may kusina na naghahatid ng sariwang farm-to-table food sa mga bisita nito, tampok ang mga pagkain na pinagsamang Filipino at international vegetarian dishes.

Ang Globe at The Mead Foundation, isang non-profit organization, ay may iisang layunin kaugnay sa ‘rainforestation.’

Ang foundation ay masusing nakikipagtulungan sa Aetas ng Zambales upang tumulong sa pagtatanim ng mga puno sa bare forest areas ng lalawigan, at pagkakaloob ng livelihood opportunities sa community members.

“We are happy to partner with The Mead Foundation and for the opportunity for Globe and Singtel volunteers to be part of this journey where they can help with environmental sustainability while getting to know the indigenous communities. By investing in environmental protection and partnering with various organizations particularly on reforestation programs, we hope to do our share in mitigating the drastic effects of climate change,” wika ni Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

Nanindigan si Ben Mead, Executive Director ng The Mead Foundation, na “The partnership is aligned with our goal for impactful, sustainable efforts that provide transformational change, conservation of the environment, and sustainable development. The Mead Foundation is very happy to be partnering with Globe for this ‘rainforestation’ effort of our denuded forests. We are also very excited to show the volunteers around Zambales and are enthused to see how their efforts will greatly help the community.”

Bukod sa tree-planting, ang mga volunteer ay nagsagawa rin ng Brigada Eskwela activity sa ADBSA Aeta School (Jesmag Iba) na matatag­puan sa Tambac, Palanginan, Iba, Zambales.

Nagpapasalamat ang Globe sa Singtel volunteers sa pagbisita sa bansa at pagbabahagi ng kanilang kasanayan upang isulong ang positive at sustainable change sa mga komunidad kung saan sila nag-o-operate.

“We share the Singtel Group’s goal of enabling the inclusion and well-being of people, especially those who are disadvantaged, to help them realize their potential and improve their lives,” ani Crisanto.