EdTV

"Our work must contribute to the broader good of society. This is why it is important that we engage in activities that uplift the quality of life of the communities we serve."

Globe Telecom ceo Gerardo Ablaza believes that a company must not only show good corporate governance, it must also be committed to good corporate citizenship.

As part of making this corporate social responsibility a reality, Globe supports the communities where it operates. One such project is its EdTV program which provides chosen schools with a TV set, a vhs player and 70 volumes of tapes produced by abs-cbn Foundation. The tapes, which cover various subjects for all grade levels, include Sineskwela, Math Tinik, Pahina, Epol/APol, Bayani and Hirayamanawari.

Through EdTV, Globe aims to build and sustain meaningful relationships and involve itself in projects that address the key concerns of education and community development.

Globe has targeted 100 schools to be the beneficiaries of the project, which was launched in October 2003. To date 15 schools are part of EdTV. Globe is committed to reaching out to another 85 schools this year, thus completing the target of 100 schools by the end of this year.

Soong Elementary School in Cebu City received its EdTV package last December. And, because it was the first time for the school to have a TV set, there was a need to prepare a special room where the students could watch the educational programs. There are 1,515 pupils in Soong with 52 students per class.

"In this room we can accommodate one class at a time," says Silvestre Arce. "We started showing the films in the last week of February. The children are supervised by a teacher during each show."

The faculty at Soong are happy with the EdTV materials because these will serve as good additional information for the students in relation to their lessons. "I believe that with these additional educational materials the kids will learn more than just what is in their textbooks," affirms Arce. "Already, the kids enjoy watching the films even if what is being shown is about a lesson they learned in class."

"If our pupils can easily recall what they watched on TV the night before, I am sure that they will be able to do the same with the lessons they learn from EdTV," adds Lourdes Lood, Department of Education Elementary Supervisor.

Another school beneficiary of EdTV is M’lang Pilot Elementary school in M’lang, North Cotabato which is a three-and-a-half hour bus ride from Davao City. The school has a student population of 1,670.

Gloria M. de Guzman, school principal, received the EdTV package for the school on Dec. 10, 2003. "What we have done in our school is to schedule a viewing for the kids during their lunch break," shares de Guzman. "This way the students who want to watch can do so after eating instead of just playing."

Students spend so much time in school and it is there that a lot of life’s lessons are learned. The medium of instruction is important and since TV has become a way of life for many, especially children, it is futile to fight it. So, the next best thing is to use the TV in a way that will help the kids learn their lessons and perhaps get a glimpse into solving some of the problems they face in school.

"We are fortunate to have been chosen by Globe as part of EdTV," says de Guzman. "It is a great experience for our students because it is when they watch these shows that they are able to learn many lessons and observe many values, too."

The 13 other schools that have benefited from the EdTV project are Porac Central School (Pampanga), Olongapo City Elementary School, Bataan National High School, Bitas Elementary School (Cabanatuan), La Trinidad Central School, Santiago Elementary School (Oriental Mindoro), Papandayan Elementary School (Oriental Mindoro), Sta. Rita Carsada Elementary School (Batangas), Lopez Elementary School (Laguna), Los Banos National High School (Laguna), Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (Butuan City), Posadas Elementary School (Ajuy, Iloilo), and Tagum National High School (Davao).

Globe Telecom’s involvement in many social responsibility programs underscores its commitment to playing an active role in community development. Globe acknowledges the importance of involving its management and employees in reassuring families that it is a company that creates opportunities for making their dreams a reality.

While providing advanced and efficient telecommunications services is Globe’s main concern, public service is its highest objective. Globe will continue to strive to be a good neighbor in each community that it reaches, and integrate the vision of being a good corporate citizen in its daily operations.