Smart’s green programs lauded in latest GSMA global report
The GSM Association (GSMA) cited wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. for initiating environmental protection programs that utilize innovative technologies.
The GSM Association (GSMA), the global industry organization of mobile network operators, cited wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) for initiating environmental protection programs that utilize innovative technologies.
Prior to the Digital Dividends report, Connected Mangroves was also featured in GSMA’s Case for Change 2019, an initiative that features the global mobile industry’s contribution to achieve the UN SDGs.
In its report “Digital Dividends in Natural Resource Management” released on World Environment Day, the GSMA commended Smart in two out of its three featured environmental programs. The study highlighted Smart’s innovations that protect rainforests and restore coastal communities, which are currently under the PLDT Group’s Gabay Kalikasan effective environmental stewardship sustainability pillar.
Conducted under the GSMA CleanTech programme, the study explored the “Digital Dividends” of applying various types of technology to natural resource management (NRM). The report emphasized how digital solutions can significantly improve the efficiency, responsiveness and efficacy of NRM activities. “Innovative approaches to environmental concerns are believed to contribute to at least 10 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as natural resources, livelihoods and poverty are interlinked,” PLDT-Smart Chief Sustainability Officer and concurrent PLDT SVP and Group Controller and Smart Chief Financial Officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla explains.
Guarding the rainforest
Launched in the first quarter of 2020, the Rainforest Connection Program is a collaborative effort between Smart, the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Huawei Technologies Philippines (Huawei). It has been successfully deployed in five DENR-designated areas in Palawan, which is recognized as the “last ecological frontier” of the country.
The program uses an Internet of Things (IoT) solution that taps mobile technology to record sounds in the rainforest sounds in order to detect illegal logging and poaching activities in the country’s rainforests.
Developed by a US-based NGO of the same name, Rainforest Connection makes use of old cell phones, all powered by solar panels and wireless technology, to monitor and record ambient sounds of DENR-identified priority forest areas.
The bio-acoustics are then uploaded to a cloud service using Smart’s mobile network connectivity. Findings based on the collected data are accessible via a mobile app and may be used by key community stakeholders to interpret patterns of forest activity and to guide their course of action.
Restoring mangroves with Ericsson, LGUs
Smart’s Connected Mangroves partnership with network vendor Ericsson is also featured in the 2020 GSMA Digital Dividends report. This program was also lauded by GSMA in its Case for Change initiative in 2019, as one of the global mobile industry’s contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The IoT for mangroves protection uses wireless connectivity to collect critical data relevant to the survival of these plants, such as water level, temperature, soil moisture, and other conditions in the mangrove area. The information, which is being collected by the mangrove sensor system, is transmitted over a cloud system to a dashboard accessible to the fisherfolk communities and authorities.
Mangrove forests are deemed important in the protection of seaside communities from typhoons, flooding, erosion and other coastal hazards, and serve as a vital habitat for various aquatic life forms. The newly established Sustainability Office of PLDT-Smart aims to scale up the project for 2020, following its 2017 deployment in the Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical Habitat and Eco-tourism Area in Pampanga.
Aside from Rainforest Connection and Connected Mangroves, most NRM projects that GSMA studied also leverage data collected through satellites, drones or connected devices. One in five uses artificial intelligence to discover, explore and derive insights from datasets. GSMA studies show that when an initiative receives support from a telco or a technology organization, it is twice as likely to use emerging technologies like connected devices, blockchain, and the like.
Supporting GSMA’s #RaceToZero
These recognitions coincide with PLDT-Smart’s announcement that it is supporting the GSMA’s Race to Zero campaign, as a member of the organization’s Climate Change Task Force. The movement highlights broad-based commitment to zero emissions from all stakeholders, building back better from the COVID-19 context.
Race to Zero aims to mobilize leadership and support from business cities, regions, and investors for a net zero greenhouse gas emissions economy by 2050, preferably earlier. PLDT-Smart aims to do this by progressively improving operational efficiencies, turning to green technologies this 2020, and pursuing the use of renewable energy in its facilities. This is on top of the various partnerships established to help protect and conserve our rainforests, mangroves, and marine life – all leveraging on digital technology and the PLDT-Smart network.
“For us, ‘The Race To Zero’ has already begun, we have hit the ground running,” PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio says in a video message.
“We realize this is not a sprint but a marathon. So, we will run this race at a steady pace, keep our eyes focused on our goal, and stay determined to see it through to the finish line,” he concludes.
“This is the larger mission before us – the purpose that drives our organizational will and energy towards sustainability on the triple bottom line of profit, people, and planet,” PLDT Chairman, President, and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan says.
2GO mobilizes volunteers, supports nationwide coastal cleanup with logistics and supplies
As part of the annual global initiative, 2GO teams participated in coastal cleanup activities across Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Cebu, and Manila, helping remove waste from shorelines and supporting efforts to keep coastal communities clean.
Reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship and cleaner coastal communities, 2GO Group, Inc. mobilized 149 employee-volunteers across key coastal locations nationwide for this year’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), in partnership with SM Cares.
As part of the annual global initiative, 2GO teams participated in coastal cleanup activities across Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Cebu, and Manila, helping remove waste from shorelines and supporting efforts to keep coastal communities clean.
In Manila, 2GO volunteers collected a total of 207 kilograms of waste from the cleanup sites. 2GO estimates that the 149 volunteers diverted approximately 768 kilograms of coastal waste across all participating locations.
Beyond volunteer participation, 2GO has continued to strengthen its support for the ICC through material donations and logistics services. Since establishing its partnership with SM Cares for the ICC in 2023, the company has expanded its support to help equip volunteers and facilitate the movement of essential cleanup resources.
Supporting cleanup efforts through people, supplies, and logistics
For this year’s nationwide cleanup, 2GO donated protective gloves for volunteers, building on its previous contributions of cleanup sacks in 2024 and 2025.
The company also provided end-to-end transportation and logistics support for the delivery of heavy-duty weighing scales to cleanup sites nationwide. Building on logistical support initiated in 2025, the service helped ensure that collected waste could be accurately weighed and documented across participating sites.
By combining the dedication of its employee-volunteers with targeted material support and logistics solutions, 2GO helps drive collective action toward cleaner coastal environments and healthier communities across the country.
As a transportation and logistics company serving communities across the Philippine archipelago, 2GO recognizes the importance of supporting the communities and coastal environments connected by its network. Its continued participation in the ICC reflects 2GO’s commitment to contributing its people, resources, and capabilities to environmental initiatives across the country.
FedEx Cares helps 2,400 Filipino students start the school year healthier
This initiative is part of FedEx Cares, the company’s global community engagement program, and aims to improve the health and well-being of Filipino students ahead of the upcoming school year.
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, collaborated with international non-profit Feed the Children to address health challenges by donating hygiene kits to 2,400 grade school children from fishing and farming communities in Bohol and Zamboanga del Norte.
This initiative is part of FedEx Cares, the company’s global community engagement program, and aims to improve the health and well-being of Filipino students ahead of the upcoming school year. A total of 14 FedEx employees supported the effort by assembling and delivering the kits, which include soap, shampoo, face towels, toothbrush and toothpaste – helping children maintain proper hygiene and stay focused on their education.\
Beyond providing essential supplies, the program promotes lasting behavior change through school-based orientation sessions in 11 schools, encouraging consistent, daily hygiene practices among students. Studies show that handwashing with soap can reduce diarrheal diseases by up to 30% and acute respiratory infections by up to 20%, underscoring the importance of early education and access to basic hygiene tools. Oral health remains a growing concern, with the Philippine Dental Association reporting that 72% of Filipinos suffer from tooth decay, with school-aged children among the most affected, making it a leading cause of school absenteeism.
“At FedEx, we believe that access to basic hygiene is fundamental to a child’s ability to learn and thrive. Through this initiative, we are not only delivering essential supplies but also fostering healthier routines and stronger foundations for learning,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director, FedEx Philippines. “By providing hygiene kits and health education, we aim to create a lasting impact and empower Filipino children to stay in school and reach their full potential.”
Since 2023, FedEx has worked with Feed the Children to deliver resources that support the needs of more than 5,000 children across the Philippines.
AXA Philippines mobilizes over 2,000 employees nationwide to support communities through volunteerism
This year’s celebration underscored the company’s belief that they can achieve more meaningful change when they work as one, while marking a shift toward long-term partnerships that empower communities to grow sustainably.
AXA Philippines, one of the largest and fastest-growing insurance companies in the country, reaffirmed its commitment to create lasting social impact through AXA Week for Good (AWFG) 2026, bringing together over 2,000 employees nationwide under the theme “AXA on a Mission: Together We Move Forward.”
This year’s celebration underscored the company’s belief that they can achieve more meaningful change when they work as one, while marking a shift toward long-term partnerships that empower communities to grow sustainably.
“When our employees come together, the impact multiplies. This year, we’re investing more into partnerships that can help communities thrive in the long run. We wanted volunteerism to go beyond participation and become part of a sustained journey with our partners through livelihood initiatives, skills sharing, and learning and sustainability programs,” said Sharon Hernandez, Chief Human Resources Officer of AXA Philippines.
From Volunteerism to Sustainable Community Development
A key milestone of this year’s AWFG is the continued development of the Medinilla Café, a livelihood project in Siniloan, Laguna that grew from AXA’s tree-planting and forest restoration efforts last year in collaboration with Fostering Education and Environment for Development Inc. (FEED). Through the first-ever “Declutter for a Purpose” initiative, AXA employees raised cash donations by selling preloved items to help sustain the café’s operations and create livelihood opportunities for local residents. The unsold goods will be donated to partner communities to extend the initiative’s impact and minimize waste.
Building on the success of AXA Forest, the company is also expanding support to community gardens in partnership with Project PEARLS, a non-profit organization with a mission to help the poorest of the poor children have a better life by giving them PEARLS: Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love and Smiles through education, empowerment, nutrition, nourishment, and healthcare. The partnership aims to help improve food security and create potential income sources for families.
Learning That Inspires Action
Throughout the week, employees also deepened their understanding of social and environmental challenges through the “Impact for Action Podcast Series,” featuring experts and nonprofit partners who shared practical insights on literacy, sustainability, disaster preparedness, workplace safety, circular economy practices, and environmental stewardship.
Partner organizations included BINHI English Literacy Foundation, FEED Inc., Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), Humble Sustainability, Upstyle, The Soilmate Collective Inc., and AXA Foundation. The series also highlighted volunteer opportunities that extend beyond AWFG, encouraging year-round engagement.
Employees Turning Everyday Actions into Lasting Impact
Additionally, employees participated in a range of hands-on activities over the course of the week. An “e-Waste Collection Drive” promoted responsible disposal by collecting used electronic devices for refurbishment or recycling, with proceeds benefiting Project PEARLS.
Meanwhile, remote volunteers contributed through “Learning Buddies,” creating reading activity sheets for young learners, and “Love in Every Bite,” sharing nutritious, budget-friendly recipes with partner communities.
AXA Week for Good is the flagship annual celebration of AXA Hearts in Action, the company’s global employee volunteering program. With a focus on community partnerships, this year’s AXA Week for Good continues to show the impact of collective action, through volunteerism, skills sharing, and supporting livelihood initiatives, reflecting the company’s commitment to helping protect what matters and build more resilient communities.
For more information about AXA Philippines and its community initiatives, visit www.axa.com.ph