The Philippines' largest fully integrated telecommunications company, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its mobile communications subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) recently handed over tablets and connectivity support to the Philippines in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to help improve the protection of marine resources in the Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS).
Communication technology will be used by PLDT and Smart to support the implementation of the Fisheries Sharing Hub on Investigation, Enforcement, Litigation and Detection System (FishSHIELDS) in Siargao.
FishSHIELDS, which USAID is developing with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), will be implemented in SIPLAS, managed by DENR.
The tool provides law enforcement officials with digital resources to better detect, deter and respond to cases of violations in Philippine waters. The equipment is used by law enforcement agencies to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the protected area.
SIBOL project
The turnover ceremony inaugurated a collaboration with USAID under the SIBOL (Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans and Landscapes) project, which works in partnership with DENR and BFAR to improve environmental management and protection in various key biodiversity areas in the country.
These sites include the Masinloc-Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (MOBPLS) in Masinloc, Zambales and SIPLAS in Surigao del Norte, where PLDT and Smart will support conservation efforts.
The country's critical biodiversity hotspots include MOBPLS and SIPLAS, which serve as habitat for vast mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, reef areas and marine species.
These areas provide vital food and livelihood resources and act as natural barriers to the impacts of typhoons and storm surges for surrounding communities.
However, these protected areas are still threatened by illegal activities that harm the environment and the livelihoods of the people in these areas.
“As we operate in the country's rich biodiversity landscape, we at PLDT and Smart are conscious of our impact on nature and, conversely, nature's impact on our business. Therefore, a conscious and responsible approach to managing our environmental impact and promoting sustainable use of our natural resources is required. “This collaboration with USAID is another project where we will leverage communications technology to support the conservation of biodiversity sites of national and global importance,” said Melissa Vergel de Dios, first vice president and chief sustainability officer of PLDT and Smart.
USAID partnerships with the Phl government
For his part, Ryder Rogers, Director of USAID's Environment Office, said: “USAID is proud of our partnerships with the Government of the Philippines, the private sector and communities to protect the oceans and conserve biodiversity.” These new tools will help local authorities to protect Siargao’s valuable marine resources for future generations.”
Both PLDT and Smart are also collaborating with USAID to design and conduct a biodiversity risk management workshop for their staff and supply chain partners to improve the identification and management of potential risks to biodiversity as they roll out network facilities and operate across the country .
These initiatives demonstrate PLDT and Smart's commitment to upholding the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, particularly by institutionalizing a precautionary approach to environmental challenges and promoting greater environmental responsibility among companies.
PLDT and Smart are also aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-based Financial Disclosures frameworks, which aim to integrate nature into business decisions and financial reporting.