Smart partners with UP Vanguard to build eco-friendly camp

MANILA, Philippines - Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has joined a multi-sector partnership led by University of the Philippines Vanguard, Inc. (UVI) - the organization of UP ROTC officials and alumni – that will help build an environment-friendly camp within the UP Visayas campus in Miagao, Iloilo.

The soon to be built UP ROTC headquarters in the Visayas has been named ‘Terra Kuta’, a play on the word terracotta, a type of earthenware. ‘Terra’ is from the Latin word for earth and ‘Kuta’ is a word used by military men to refer to their base or camp.

Made of “natural and recycled materials” the Terra Kuta aims to contribute to the drive of going for more earth-friendly and sustainable construction.

According to the Terra Kuta project coordinator Earl Edward Baludio and the team from DLDiesto Architects which designed and developed the project, the structure will be built using alternative construction materials such as clay, old tires, glass bottles, aluminum cans and shredded tarpaulin.

Smart has been running tarpaulin recycling projects as part of its environmental advocacies, with the flagship program based in Iloilo’s Gawad Kalinga village in Sooc, Arevalo District.

“Smart has been working with GK village in Sooc, Iloilo on the tarpaulin recycling program called ‘Project Zero’ which has become a source of livelihood for the families,” said Atty. Jane Paredes, head of Smart Public Affairs for Visayas and Mindanao. “The company has been donating old tarpaulin materials previously used as billboards and banners which the GK community has been turning into specially designed and handcrafted bags and accessories.”

“With our partnership with the UP Vanguard Panay-Negros Chapter, we have expanded our tarpaulin recycling program while helping in this project. We hope this would set an example to other builders to use recycled materials to help the environment while saving on costs,” added Paredes.