GMA Network goes green with 'Kapuso ng Kalikasan'

MANILA, Philippines - At 60, GMA Network continues to go beyond business as it counts among its priorities the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of promoting environmental awareness and conservation.

Today, the company perpetuates eco-friendly practices and projects to counter the effects of environmental degradation. “GMA Network, as a media company, plays an important role helping save the environment,” said Carmencita G. Arce, consultant of the company’s Corporate Affairs Division and one of the proponents of GMA Network’s environmental advocacy program dubbed Kapuso ng Kalikasan (KNK). 

Within the network’s premises, Arce said the company has adopted green practices that promote environment conservation. “GMA has implemented a number of green initiatives (i.e. energy and water conservation) integrated with its business operations,” she said.

“For instance, the company has invested on light emitting diode (LED) lamps that have lower wattage but provide the same amount of illumination and energy saving devices on frequently used equipment to save on energy costs. The investments make P1 million savings in electricity consumption every month.”

GMA Network is likewise conscious of proper waste disposal and has been implementing a waste management scheme that encourages employees to reduce, recycle, and reuse office materials and supplies. In 2009 alone, the Network was able to generate close to 50 tons of recyclables that made around P200,000 in revenues. 

GMA’s newly constructed GMA Network Studios, equipped with the most technologically advanced broadcast equipment in the country, has a sewage treatment plant (STP) that produces an average of 50 cubic meters per day of treated water for re-use. STP’s treated water is used for flushing toilets, watering plants, and cleaning facilities.  

The network also frontlined the Clean Energy and Clean Air Forum that provided company drivers with value training on vehicle maintenance and the use of alternative fuels to promote clean air. On its intranet, employees are always reminded of initiatives they can undertake to conserve electricity and water and other green practices. 

Having been at the forefront of several CSR projects for the network, Arce believes that in order for advocacy campaigns to become successful, it is important to ”walk the talk”. GMA partners with equally credible institutions.  

For instance, Arce said that the Network’s partnership with Haribon Foundation for the project called Road to 2020 led to tree-planting activities in watersheds of Tanay, Iloilo , Cebu , and Pangasinan. It has initiated an “Adopt a Seedling” campaign among its employees. The project, which is supported by the KNK program, is aimed at restoring one million hectares of rainforests using native tree species by 2020. 

Among the projects under KNK are the network’s the partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP); and with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the World Wide Fund for Nature in support of the Earth Day.

On-air, the Network keeps a lineup of programming that upholds environmental preservation – something GMA’s competitors can’t lay claim to. In 2007, GMA News and Public Affairs (N&PA) signed-on the first weekly late night television program devoted to wildlife and environment conservation dubbed, Born to be Wild – the first of its kind on Philippine television.

The Network’s N&PA also produced special environmental documentaries, namely, Signos: Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima, which provided a comprehensive view of climate change; Sisid, a documentary that highlighted the state of Philippine coastal and underwater environment and how vital it is to protect our seas; and Planet Philippines (winner of Bronze World Medal in the 2009 New York Festivals), which showcased the Philippines’ rich bio-diversity and the looming dangers that these irreplaceable treasures are exposed to due to man’s negligent actions. During the Earth Day celebration, GMA produced a special One Earth, One Journey, which showcased the essence of the Earth Day celebration through music merged with visual art display that highlighted the importance of preserving Mother Earth. These special television events educate the viewers on environmental issues and encourage them to do their share in mitigating the impact and adapting to climate change. 

GMA Network also uses other platforms – online and radio – to extend the discussion on environmental issues. Soon, said Arce, the Network will launch the KNK website to perennially report to its internal and external stakeholders the Network’s green activities.

More than just a commercial enterprise, the Network does its share in promoting the preservation of the environment and initiatives that will hopefully make viewers take green practices as a way of life.  

According to Arce, GMA’s documen-taries have received overwhelming positive feedback, particularly Signos and Planet Philippines. They were the highest rating specials in their timeslots in 2008 and 2009. ”There is greater awareness of environmental issues now, than before. Our aim is to have every Filipino be a Kapuso ng Kalikasan to ensure our future and the future of the succeeding generations. We have only one Earth, we have to preserve it,” Arce concluded.