MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Being socially distanced with minimal face-to-face interactions has affected much of how everyone connects with their communities. Volunteering, which used to be a highly social activity, has shifted to e-volunteerism wherein volunteers are able to share their time and resources online and via mobile.
Globe believes the pandemic’s mobility restrictions should not prevent individuals from volunteering. It has opened up more digital opportunities for its kind-hearted customers to support various advocacies such as hunger alleviation through its own channels — Globe Rewards and Gcash.
Through Globe Rewards, customers are able to e-volunteer and so far have helped raise P6 million to Walang Iwanan Alliance (WIA) using their Rewards points. The amount was used for food packs or rice subsidies given to almost 8,700 families in Metro Manila whose livelihoods were affected by the pandemic and to 10,000 families in the provinces battered by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses.
WIA is a citizen-led initiative to build a platform that unites all efforts to mitigate or end hunger in the most vulnerable communities across the country, especially those deeply affected by the pandemic. Its goal is to set up a vast network of anti-hunger advocates and the corresponding systems that can allow quicker and more effective responses where hunger arises.
“In our country, the problem is not having too little, it is not about caring enough. I volunteer to lead the operations of WIA because I’m uncomfortable with the escalating hunger cases especially during the pandemic,” said Dhang Tecson, Head of Operations for Walang Iwanan Alliance and also a volunteer.
WIA also expressed gratitude to Globe for the partnership. “We are beyond grateful to Globe and to all those who have made this cause a success. Together, we were able to reach our kababayans and were able to give help in this most difficult time. We hope to reach more Filipinos until this crisis is over,” Jose Maria Montelibano, WIA Spokesperson said.
“Together with WIA, we thank our customers who supported us in this advocacy. To those who also want to help the most vulnerable members of society, they may still do so by donating through GCash or using your Globe Rewards points,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.
For Globe and TM customers who have Globe Rewards points, they may via the Globe Rewards app. Just click “Donate” and choose Walang Iwanan Alliance. Each point is equivalent to P1.
The collected amount will be used to purchase food packs for low-income families. The WIA will take care of identifying the beneficiaries while working with the respective barangays, local government units, and the members of the Alliance which are the organization’s existing ground support.
Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals specifically UN SDG No. 9 which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
