A wildlife exposure for children

Fostering environmental awareness among the youth is an integral part of long-term efforts to preserve and protect the environment. Educating young Filipinos on the virtues of caring for the environ-ment can effective-ly mold their minds and create a generation that is more caring of mother nature.

With this in mind, Mirant Philippines launched recently an employee engagement program which includes educating young children about the caring for the environment.

Dubbed "Tanglaw," the program includes a summer wildlife exposure for street children (in partnership with Childhope Asia Philippines) a kiddie eco-challenge for orphans (in partnership with the Pangarap Shelter) and an educational tour on the effects of power generation on the environment (in partnership with the Tuloy sa Don Bosco)

Through Tanglaw, company employees are expected to have a positive, fruitful inter-action with the children. It will also provide them a first hand experience of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts.

Among the sites to be visited is Mirant’s 150-hectare mangrove forest preservation project in Pagbilao, Quezon. Dubbed "Carbon Sink," the site is home to diverse flora and fauna that have flourished since the energy firm initiated efforts to revitalize the dwindling mangroves.

"This year, we have a program providing us opportunities to apply and develop ourselves in the business setting, we have our unique program — Tanglaw — providing diverse and focused opportunities for each of us to inspire underprivileged children with topics and values close to our heart. These include pride in Filipino excellence, caring for the environment and living out laudable Filipino values," says Edgardo Bautista, Mirant Philippines president.

Aside from environmental stewardship, Mirant Philippines’ corporate philosophy also involves leadership in corporate social responsibility and business. These are collectively known as the company’s three bottomlines.

Tanglaw is part of the company’s commitment to raise environmental awareness and evolve into a total company that is deeply involved in the nation’s progress.