The location of the Philippines in the Pacific has always made the country vulnerable to strong typhoons. About 20 typhoons pass through the Philippine Area of Responsibility annually, about 8-to-9 of which make landfall. However, over the past years, climate change has brought more violent storms to the country, causing severe damage to lives and properties.
While resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness are important during severe weather conditions, nature-based solutions such as rainforestation and watershed conservation also play a vital role in mitigating the adverse effects of these natural phenomena.
The Philippines continues to experience the rapid decrease of its primary rainforests from 70% forest cover in the 1990s to only less than 1.8% to date. This rate of environmental degradation contributes negatively to global climate change and local water and food shortages, affects the country’s pristine natural habitats, and endangers the lives of the local communities, especially those in vulnerable lowland areas that serve as catch basins.
It’s a good thing that Globe Telecom believes in the importance of promoting environmental sustainability in order to protect these ecosystems to combat climate change. So far, Globe and its customers have raised PhP 14.8 million equivalent to 148 hectares of reforestation sites in several areas in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur as part of Globe’s partnership
with Hineleban Foundation, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Aside from enhancing critical watersheds in order to achieve water and food security, these efforts also help increase biodiversity, establish forest habitats, sequester greenhouse gases and improve livelihoods of local communities.
“Rainforestation efforts in the Philippines are of importance as they aid in protecting and enhancing critical watersheds that provide water to downstream communities. Rainforestation has major benefits that can be observed from ridge to reef, such as the mitigation of landslides and floods, the creation of microclimates, and the protection of wildlife habitats,” said James Tuason, Hineleban Foundation Head of Reforestation.
Primary rainforests play an important role in regulating oxygen and carbon cycles. Since the beginning of the partnership between Globe and Hineleban in 2016 until the end of 2019, a conservative estimate of 16,411.67 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) have been sequestered
or captured by the trees planted. Hineleban estimates the total amount to reach at least 94,000 metric tons CO2 by 2025. This is equivalent to the electricity use of 15,926 homes for one year, 20,323 passenger vehicles driven for one year, or around 12 billion smartphones charged.
Globe customers who want to be part of the rainforestation advocacy may donate their Globe Rewards points to Hineleban Foundation. Every 100 Rewards points donation is equivalent to one tree.
To donate, just download the Globe Rewards app on your mobile device and click on the “DONATE” banner. Tap “HINELEBAN100” and press “REDEEM.”
To learn more about Hineleban Foundation and to find out how you can help their advocacy, visit the Hineleban site. The foundation also sells products such as quality Hineleban adlai (rice), turmeric, Hineleban coffee, yacon syrup and more. Visit the Hineleban Farms store.
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