Feature
Bringing trees back to the community
[Sept. 29, 2008/ Manila] - Trees filter out air pollutants, reduce noise and create areas for relaxation and recreation. They provide livelihood and sustenance for people living nearby. They also lessen the risk of erosion and flooding, and offer shelter and food for birds, fish and other animals.
The lack of trees in an area adversely affects the ecosystem. Such is the case in Barangay Tabunan, an upland village in Cebu City, where residents replaced some of the trees with crops like corn, vegetables and flowers. Fortunately, people have begun paying attention to the need for more trees. Among them are employees of Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) who came armed with 5,000 Mahogany seedlings for a tree-planting initiative.
In the scorching heat, 85 volunteers climbed the hilly land of Tabunan, got on their knees and planted the six-month-old seedlings. S.E.R.V.I.C.E. or Smart Employees Responding as Volunteers in the Community and Environment allows employees to render community service in various ways. Activities include reading tutorials under the Read-to-be-Smart program, blood donation drives and other Red Cross activities, and tree-planting.
“Internally, what we do is bring together all environmental programs, and encourage the employees to join and then get their families on board as well. There’s a ripple effect,” said Atty. Maria Jane Paredes, manager of SMART Public Affairs Visayas-Mindanao.
“We don’t hope to change the world in one day. It's going to be a slow, painful and gradual process. You just have to be persistent and be patient in whatever campaign you launch,” she stressed. To date, more than 50,000 seeds and mangroves have been planted nationwide by employee-volunteers from both PLDT and SMART in various activities.
“In Tabunan, we start with mahogany because they are fast-growing. Later, we will plant those that are indigenous to the place like cinnamon and bangkal,” said Leo Pellestero, technical officer of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)--SMART’s link to the community. Through the Tabunan Marketing Cooperative, which PBSP facilitates, “we see to the care of these plants.” Pellestero added, “We have started discouraging people from using inorganic fertilizers that include chemicals.”
For Richard Bonsucan, a SMART Bro Analyst, it was his first time to plant trees. He showed up in Barangay Tabunan with many of his co-workers mainly because they had been influenced by the stories of their team leader, Louie Monguez. Monquez’s excitement in sharing his experience in previous tree-planting activities was so infectious, he said.
“Some others wanted to join, but they had to work. Luckily, there will be more opportunities so they can participate when it is most convenient,” said Monguez who also tends a garden in his home. Genry Gabayan, SMART Human Resources Associate, said, “We have a core of volunteers who try never to miss a tree-planting session. These activities are opportunities for adventure, exercise and de-stressing.”
"It’s a way I get to meet other employees,” added Teresita Donasco, technical coordinator from the Network Services Division. She said that participants should have the following essentials: a cap, sun block, extra clothes and a spirit of volunteerism.
SMART has been promoting a culture of environmental protection and conservation among employees through tree-planting activities. SMART and PLDT have also embarked on a three-year tree-planting program with NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile communications company. This team effort aims to expand the tree-planting initiatives of PLDT and SMART, which have contributed over 130,000 seedlings to the country’s reforestation efforts since 2004. Under the partnership, NTT DOCOMO will allocate an initial ¥3M in 2008 to supplement PLDT and SMART's tree-planting budget for the year. @
