WIRELESS leader Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) has partnered anew with World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Philippines for the celebration in the country of the global initiative for the planet, Earth Hour. Smart will be providing connectivity and is a key partner to this year’s switch-off event to be held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on March 28.
It is also supporting the switch-off in Cebu City. The Philippines has earned the title of Earth Hour Hero Country after it has topped participation records from 2009 to 2013.
The telecommunications (telco) company, a staunch advocate for the environment, has been supporting the Earth Hour initiative for several years now and has contributed to efforts to ramp up public awareness on the importance of taking care of the environment.
“Smart has embraced environment protection and conservation as one of its key advocacies. The Earth Hour is one of those initiatives that we constantly support as this is in line with our goal to heighten public awareness on the urgent need to help save the planet,” Ramon R. Isberto, head of public affairs of Smart, said.
“We have been enjoining our employees and our subscribers to not only participate in this symbolic event, but also to make eco-friendly habits a part of their lifestyle,” Isberto added. In Cebu City Smart has partnered with City Councilor Nida Cabrera for the provision of bicycle racks at the City Hall Grounds with the turnover also scheduled on March 28. Smart will also be joining Cabrera and other Cebu corporate citizens and organizations in planting mangroves in Tongo Islet, South Road Properties, Cebu City.
Smart has been at the forefront in the telco industry in promoting eco-friendly solutions. It is the first company to use stone paper for its merchandising materials. It is also one of the main proponents of the Marikina Watershed Initiative to help protect, reforest and rehabilitate the Upper Marikina Watershed, Metro Manila’s last line of defense against severe flooding.
Smart also partnered with WWF for Project Connect, which aims to educate students from elementary up to college on energy conservation, use of renewable energy and climate-change mitigation.
Smart and WWF-Philippines have conducted workshops to schools that won in the 2013 National Search for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Schools that was held in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.