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Deforestration is one of the most pressing and profound challenges of our time. Environmentalists caution humankind against the possible consequences of forest reduction, along with the continued use of fossil fuels and rising levels of greenhouse emissions. The implications may be devastating—increased risks of droughts and floods, alarming sea-level rise, soil erosion and river siltation, challenges to biodiversity and public health, catastrophes that may cause loss of livelihood, and worse, loss of life.

Since 1990, the Philippines has lost over 3,412,000 hectares, representing more than one-third, of its forest cover. If the disturbing deforestration rate of two percent per year continues, it is seen that the country’s greenery will be down to a critical two percent by year 2010.

Branching out

In 2004, leading wireless services provider, Smart Communications, Inc., embarked on a series of tree planting activities as its response to the problems posed by global warming. Through its Smart Employees Responding as Volunteers in the Community and Environment (S.E.R.V.I.C.E.) program, Smart has  contributed more than 50,000 seedlings in Benguet, Bohol, Cebu, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Marikina, Siargao, Zamboanga,  the coast of Gen. Nakar, Quezon, the slopes of Mt. Banahaw, the banks of La Mesa Ecopark, and just recently, the watershed of Caliraya.

Organized jointly with the National Power Corp. (Napocor)  Caliraya-Lumot Watershed Area Team (CLWAT), the tree planting project—the first in 2007 for both Smart and Napocor, covered a section of the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed (CLW) which was declared a reservation under Presidential Proclamation  573. It is located 105 kilometers southeast of Metro Manila in the municipalities of Cavinti, Kalayaan and Lumban, in the province of Laguna. With a total area of 9,604.12 hectares, the CLW is the lifeblood of the CBK power plant complex, yielding water for the purpose of power generation. 

Smart faces 2007 with a renewed sense of commitment. Its tree planting activities complement its existing initiatives on alternative energy sourcing as seen in its wind-powered cellsite and conscious reduction of fossil fuel usage. All this will form part of a comprehensive campaign to address the problems posed by climate change.

Furthermore,  Smart plans to promote more employee volunteerism projects and to sustain its tree planting activities. “It is said that every year, an average tree converts 26 pounds of carbon dioxide into enough oxygen for a family of four. Just imagine how many families we will save by saving trees. We are doing this for our children and our children’s children.” says Darwin F. Flores, Smart senior manager for community partnerships.

SMART public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto adds: “We want to commit ourselves to action. We pride ourselves that parallel to our significant products and services to the public, we render meaningful service to the planet as well.”