Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation employees
recently participated in a rehabilitation program for the Ipo Watershed in
Norzagaray, Bulacan. The project was an initiative under Love and Care, the
annual employee volunteer program for the tech giant’s subsidiaries in the
Southeast Asia and Oceania region.
Love and Care began in 2015 with an outreach program for
the Pann Pyo Let Monastic School in Myanmar, which was joined by over 50
Samsung employees from across the region. In 2016, about 60 employees
participated in a teaching activity for over 2,000 children in Phnom Penh,
Cambodia. Today, Samsung Philippines leads the implementation of Love and Care
activities in the country, with programs centered around the Environment,
Community & Health, and Quality Education.
“We take community service seriously. It is just as
important as technological innovation and business achievements. Samsung Love
and Care is a global activity, and we want to build off the success of the
program in Myanmar and Cambodia in the last two years here,” said President and
CEO Kevin Lee.
Mr. Lee personally participated in the rehabilitation
activity at the Ipo Watershed, which was organized in partnership with the
World Wildlife Fund (WWF). He and other top executives, including Human
Resources Director Silver Fungo, Jr. and Consumer Electronics Trade Marketing
Director Jupi Guibone, joined volunteers from Samsung Philippines’ various
departments in tree planting.
“Ipo Watershed is part of a network that supplies
freshwater to more than 12 million residents of Metro Manila and its
neighboring provinces. The watershed’s condition is alarming; only 40% of its
forest cover remains after decades of illegal activities,” said Head of
Corporate Citizenship Twyla David. “With the current state of Ipo, tree
planting activities alone cannot save it. We also need to make sure that the
trees survive, the vegetation and other ground covers are maintained, and
stakeholders are given enough power to implement proper management practices.”
The event was only the first leg of Samsung’s engagement in
the WWF’s environmental programs, which is divided into three phases to ensure
sustainability. Apart from the volunteer engagement at the Ipo Watershed, WWF
and SEPCO are also developing tablet-based teaching modules on biodiversity,
climate change, and sustainable lifestyles. WWF is training SEPCO volunteers to
become environmental coordinator-teachers. They will guide a group of educators
in mentoring communities about conservation, targeting ten public elementary
schools and around 500 households.
“We are grateful for Samsung’s support in our endeavors.
Seeing the volunteers’ hard work and dedication inspires us to continue making
a positive change for the environment. We are looking forward to more
partnerships with the company,” said WWF Philippines CEO and President Joel
Palma.
Samsung Love and Care will explore other activities in the
Philippines this year. “We are excited to collaborate with more organizations
for our future Love and Care programs,” said Ms. David.
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