Globe run to help restore Cordilleras

MANILA, Philippines - Globe Telecom and Cordillera Conservation Trust join hands in the protection and conservation of the mountain forests of the Cordillera mountains as they hold the Globe Cordillera Challenge on May 5 at Mt. Cabuyao and Mt. Sto Tomas.

The annual bike challenge is the product of the renewed partnership between Globe Bridging Communities, the corporate social responsibility arm of Globe Telecom, and CCT, a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to help preserve the Cordillera mountain ecosystem. 

“Globe is committed to work with local community partners to help restore the Cordillera mountains,” said Rob Nazal, Globe Corporate Social Responsibility head, in yesterday’s event launch at the National Sports Grill in Greenbelt, Makati City.

“With our renewed partnership with CCT, Globe will support the establishment of 20 seedling nurseries through Roots and Shoots, a nursery building program in public elementary schools,” he added.

Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s head of Corporate Communications, for her part, said the event hopes not only to help support the nurseries but also build a community of environmental stewards of students, parents, public officials and volunteers.

“Globe Telecom is also set to sign a partnership agreement with Foundation for the Philippine Environment this month for the use of mobile technologies in enabling the production, planting and maintenance of 50 million seedlings in 2012,” said Crisanto.

“We hope this partnership will help meet their contribution to the National Greening Project, an Executive Order signed by President Aquino last year,” she added.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through Forest Resources regional director Antonio Manila, in fact, said they will help Globe and CCT in making the meet a success.

CCT executive director JP Alipio said the high-altitude 27-km race will unfurl at 6 a.m. at the Burnham Park in Baguio City before passing through steep grades as high as 2,200-meter above sea level, loose rocks and tricky descents with the scintillating backdrops of the Lingayen Gulf, Mossy and Pine Forests.

The race is open to qualified mountain bikers, who will be given jerseys made of recycled, environment-friendly polythylene terephtalate bottles, on a first-come, first-served basis and may download the registration through the Globe Cordillera Challenge 3 Facebook event page and send their P1,000 donation via GCASH: text DONATE<space>1000<space>CORDI and send to 2882.

Donations may also be deposited to the Cordillera Trust BDO account: Tignayan Para Iti Konserbasyon Ti Kordilyera with corresponding account number 5180031673.