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PUSOD taps Globe ICT services for Taal Lake management

After two decades of aquaculture expansion in Taal Lake, fishkills now become a common occurrence as water quality deteriorates and open fisheries drastically declines.  Added to this are problems in waste and sewage management and the looming widespread poverty stalking the area.

While a new Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL) Management Plan has been approved to protect and conserve Taal Lake and its environs, the challenge is its full implementation.  Thus, PUSOD, Inc., an environmental non-government organization has tapped leading telecom company Globe Telecom for the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enhance implementation of the plan.

“We decided to join hands with PUSOD in this undertaking to affect positive change in the environment by using the company’s core competency which is ICT.  Globe believes that ICT is such a powerful tool in addressing key environmental issues.  By providing short messaging service and computer portals to PUSOD, Globe would be able to ensure Taal stakeholder access to vital information as well as their participation in the implementation of the TVPL Management Plan,” said Rob I. Nazal, Head of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

Under the agreement, Globe will provide PUSOD with one-year TxtConnect Plan 5000 facility.  TxtConnect is an information broadcast medium that can send information to every registered subscriber of the service. It offers cost-effective real-time announcements and updates to the organization that would revolutionize the dissemination of information regarding the TVPL management plan.

Globe also turned over some 2,000 Bridging Communities SIM Cards to PUSOD for better stakeholder management.  The Globe BridgeCom SIM cuts regular rates in half, thereby, giving users a chance to enjoy a very low P0.05 per second rate for Globe/TM-to-Globe/TM calls and P0.50 per text.

PUSOD is part of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) which trades and disseminates information to its members composed of the provincial governments of Batangas and Cavite, fisher folk communities and fish cage owners.

PUSOD plans to disseminate the management plan, in print and digital and reconnect with over a thousand stakeholders through SMS with updates on the plan approval and implementation steps taken so far.  It will also seek to mobilize citizen participation and contribution in areas where management is unable to make progress in implementation.

SMS allows for critical issues to be raised.  It is also a bridge to learning web and email applications if the SMS refers to documents accessible only in those formats. Thus, PAMB decided to use the power of the mobile phone already in the hands of the majority of its members for management and governance and to integrate it with web and radio broadcast access.

“Mobile phones, and specifically SMS, are already in the hands of the majority of the residents in the Taal Lake Basin.  They are already using it to take power over other aspects of their lives.  It is time they use it to take power over the management of their shared resource and to share power with a government that has not previously been interacting with them except in patronizing ways and during election period,” said PUSOD President Enrique Nunez.

Likewise, Globe will provide applicable internet connectivity solutions for three computer portals, namely Mataasnakahoy, Tanauan, and Talisay for the Taal Basin Management website.

At present, Nunez said that notices are hand delivered, minutes are in hard copy and distributed only during meetings, and frequently, there is no time to study documents before they have to be approved.  Thus, SMS connectivity and integrated web and radio applications would allow for greater citizen participation, and push members of the PAMB to learn more efficient means to serve their constituencies and mobilize for the implementation of the plan.  It will also lead to fulfillment of common goals by increased ownership of successes and progress, contribution in kind and in cash by concerned citizens and voluntary compliance when results and outcomes are well understood.

Taal Volcano Protected Landscape covers over 65,000 hectares, 24,000 hectares of which are occupied by the lake.  It is listed in a book by Patricia Schultz as among the 1000 places to visit before you die.  For an area that is only 60-80 kilometers from Manila, it is still sparsely populated, at under 350,000 – the aggregate figure of the population figures of the barangays forming the basin from the 2007 census.
 
Meralco takes part in 19th Provincial Jamborette in Batangas

 OMF-jamboree

(In photo: Meralco employees  receive a plaque of appreciation from Batangas Governor Vilma Santos (third from right), San Pascual Mayor Antonio Dimayuga (sixth from right) and Batangas Boy Scout Council leaders (fifth and seventh from right)).

As part of its commitment for youth advocacy, One Meralco Foundation and the Meralco Batangas Business Center supported the 19th Provincial Jamborette held at Bgy. Mataas na Lupa, San Pascual, Batangas on February 8-12, 2012. The 5-day event attended by 5,000 boy scouts and leaders from different districts of Batangas served as an avenue for the participating youth to learn and practice the values of teamwork, leadership, cooperation, commitment and service.

“We would like to instill these values in the minds and hearts of the youth early on, making them true men for God, their country, and their fellowmen,” One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao declares. (Article from One Meralco Foundation)

 
 
Globe strengthens environmental advocacy thru WWF-Philippines partnership

Globe strengthens environmental advocacy thru WWF-Philippines partnership

Donates P1 M to Philippine Fund for Nature

Globe Telecom further strengthens its environmental advocacy through a partnership with World Wildlife Fund - Philippines, starting with a donation of P1 million to WWF’s Philippine Fund for Nature and a possible collaboration on eco-tourism using Globe GCASH. 

Philippine Fund for Nature is designed to ensure long term growth of the WWF-Philippines wide range of projects directed towards preserving the country’s natural resources.  WWF Philippines aims to establish a special endowment fund of P200 million for PFN. 

“The major gift will not only help secure the financial sustainability of the organization but will also enable us to sustain in the long run our key projects which help conserve our biodiversity and help mitigate the impact of human footprint on our environment.  More importantly, it will help assure that future generations will enjoy a living planet,” said Vicente S. Perez, WWF-Philippine Chairman in his letter to Globe President and CEO Ernest L. Cu. 

The financial support is just the beginning of a partnership between Globe and WWF – Philippines. Aside from the P1 M donation, Globe through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm Globe Bridging Communities (BridgeCom) is closely working with WWF in developing GCASH Ecoturismo (GCASH for nature), a program that will harness the use of GCASH electronic cash transfer service for the promotion and facilitation of ecotourism-related customer spending in key local conservation and ecotourism sites. 

“Globe is fully aware that the effects of climate change can impact our network directly as its implications to society and to the operations and growth of businesses are felt more than ever.  This is why we continue to work hand-in-hand with various environmental organizations like WWF-Philippines in ensuring that we are able to protect our biodiversity.  At the same time, we would like to tap our core services such as GCASH to directly help the community and environment conservation efforts around the Philippines,” said Rob I. Nazal, Head of Globe CSR. 

GCASH Ecoturismo will be a valuable service in pristine but remote sites since it allows travelers to purchase goods and services as well as withdraw funds from participating GCASH outlets in the local communities where there are no Automated Teller Machines or credit card facilities.

According to WWF’s latest Living Planet Report, global biodiversity dropped by 30 percent from 1970 to 2007 while global carbon footprint increased by over 30 percent since 1998.  In the latest United Nations’ World Risk Index, the Philippines ranked third among the most disaster-vulnerable countries worldwide behind Tonga and Vanuatu.

(article from Globe Telecom)
 
MFI Wins TOPLEAP Awards

The Rotary Club of Cubao East District 3780, in partnership with the Countrywide Technology Development Foundation and the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines (Bantayog Chapter) awarded MFI Foundation "The Outstanding Philippines Leadership Excellence Award in Philanthropy (TOPLEAP Awards) in the Education Category". Representing MFI Foundation is its president, Col. Alejandro T. Escano. 

The TOPLEAP Awards recognizes Filipinos who advocate social entrepreneurship, community and international volunteerism, corporate social responsibility, and charity grants/or services. 

The awarding ceremony was held 20 January 2012 at the AFP Commissioned Officer Clubhouse of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
 
Metrobank Group’s Bags of Blessing benefits 10,000 families
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The Metrobank Group celebrated the 2012 Chinese New Year, through its annual “Bags of Blessing” (BoB) program aimed at providing underprivileged Filipino families with food packages consisting of rice, canned goods, milk, coffee, sugar, noodles, and a snack pack for children. Php 10 million-worth of food packages were given to selected 10,000 Filipino families in identified areas nationwide, including families that fell victim to last year’s natural calamities. 

The program is being spearheaded by Metrobank, GT-Metro Foundation (GTMF) and the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) along with Global Business Power and Federal Land, Inc. This nationwide endeavor is also in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which determined the names of the beneficiaries through the National Household Targeting System. It is in support of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the government. BoB is also supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

Dr. Ty expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III for the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 295 which includes for the very first time, the Chinese New Year celebration on January 23, 2012 (Monday) as a Special Non-Working Holiday.

“We thank the President for proclaiming the celebration of Chinese New Year as a holiday,” said Dr. Ty. “We believe that this is an important milestone in Philippines-China relations and will make the celebration more meaningful for the rest of the Filipino people,” he added. The declaration was made as an expression of the government’s solidarity with the Chinese-Filipino brethren who have been part of Filipino lives in many respects as a country and as a people.

“Last year’s Bags of Blessing was overwhelming as it allowed us to celebrate the Chinese New Year as an opportunity to share the fruits of our successes in the industry to our underprivileged Filipino brothers and sisters,” said MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña. “This year we are sustaining this tradition in our aim to assist the priorities of the government particularly in the delivery of basic social services to the people, “he continued.

Selected distribution sites in the National Capital Region included Manila, Pasig, Marikina, Quezon, Pasay, and Makati . Metrobank also mobilized its local branches  and subsidiaries for the simultaneous distribution conducted last January 28 in the cities of Meycauayan (Bulacan), Batangas, Santiago & Cauayan (Isabela), Dagupan, Iloilo, Cebu & Toledo, Tacloban, Bacolod, San Jose (Antique), Davao, Zamboanga and Butuan.

* * * * *

The Metrobank Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, was established by its chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty in 1979. With the theme, “Excel. Engage. Empower.” the Foundation has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs, such as the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence, the Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers, the Search for the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, College Scholarship Program and Excellence in Judiciary Program. It also supports social development projects through like-minded organizations that have sought to uplift the lives of disadvantaged groups and marginalized sectors in the society. “Converging to Inspire Change!” serves as the battle-cry of the Foundation. At 33 years, MBFI continues to uphold values of excellence and champion its chosen stakeholders and the rest of its communities. It aims to strengthen ties with institutional partners in both public and private sectors such that there will always be a venue to further honor those who are able to reach their highest potential. The Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to remain a leader in corporate social responsibility by initiating and supporting leading edge programs that uplift the lives of our people and inspire the best in the Filipinos.
 
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