HSBC, WWF-Phl partner in water project

MANILA, Philippines - An environmental group and a financial institution have partnered to improve local water access as well as promote sustainable water sourcing, sanitation and conservation via a year-long campaign.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Philippines Environmental Education head Obel Resurreccion said the “Rain Campaign” is an undertaking by both WWF and Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).

“All life depends on water and we use far more of it than we think. The average Filipino consumes about 500 liters daily. Under the Rain Campaign, interactive lectures and workbooks on water footprinting, rainwater capture techniques and waterway rehabilitation drives will be put to practice. It also gives both HSBC employees and WWF supporters a chance to join our field sessions,” Resurreccion said.

Water footprinting – similar to carbon footprinting – is the accounting of a person’s daily water use. By identifying which activities are the most water-intensive, participants can map out the best ways to minimize waste.

Last May 18, 30 volunteers from HSBC joined a team from WWF-Philippines and the De La Salle schools to teach 60 students from the Jaime Hilario Integrated School in Bagac, Bataan about smart water use, supplemental water access and safe hygiene practices.

HSBC Philippines CEO Wick Veloso and WWF-Philippines CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan joined renowned mural artist AG Saño and other artists to bring life to a water-themed mural.

Veloso said, “Protecting the environment is central to HSBC’s sustainability strategy. Our volunteer work is just the beginning of a five-year commitment to address a growing global challenge – water.

“Through this partnership with WWF, we hope to provide water conservation education to public elementary school students nearby and eventually help make drinking water more accessible to communities.

“I am confident that with WWF’s expertise in water conservation and the dedication of HSBC’s volunteers, we will create lasting impacts for schools and barangays that we will be working with this year.”

In the event, volunteers also painted two rainwater collectors. The 55-gallon plastic drums are designed to store rainwater for cleaning and gardening and will be deployed in all visited schools.

“The Rain Campaign is not about minimizing water use. It is about minimizing water waste. There’s so much we will achieve if enough people heed our water conservation and recycling strategies. Imagine how much water we’ll save if even a fourth of all Pinoy households minimize water waste,” Resurreccion said.