BULACAN, PHILIPPINES —- Keywords Studios Manila donated food and supplies to Forest Foundation Philippines’ partner forest guards in Mt. Balagbag. The donation was coursed through Forest Foundation’s grantee, Philippine Parks and Biodiversity Conservation Service Inc. (PPBCSI).
This donation is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. To support the forest guards in protecting and conserving the forests of Mt. Balagbag, they donated the following items: 30 units of sleeping bags; 65 units of first aid kits; and 10 sacks of rice.
Xandra Bautista, HR Business Partner Manager of Keywords Studios, shared, “Keywords Studios has always been committed to participate in all kinds of CSR activities that positively contributes to society and the environment. We hope that our donations will greatly help all forest rangers in their daily patrolling. We also want to thank all the members of Forest Foundation Philippines for connecting us with Philippine Parks and Biodiversity Conservation Service Inc. and for making this CSR activity memorable for all Keywordians.”
Forest guards protect and conserve the forests of Mt. Balagbag, which serves as the boundary line of Ipo Watershed. The watershed is a critical part of the Umiray-Angat-Ipo Watershed System that supplies 98% of Metro Manila’s water.
They were thankful for the donation of Keywords Studios and support of Forest Foundation Philippines. They said, “Pinakahahangad naming magka-medical kit. Ginagamit namin ang mga gamot kapag nasusugatan o nilalagnat sa pagpapatrolya.”
Eric Buduan, Senior Program Officer of Forest Foundation Philippines, added, “We are banking on the partnership with the private sector to complement our work. Sana mas marami pang nasa private sector at nasa tourism sector ang magpalaganap ng conservation work para masuportahan ang Ipo Watershed. Tayo rin naman ang makikinabang sa tubig na bigay nito. Ibinabalik lang natin ang serbisyo sa kagubatan. Sama-sama tayo para lumakas ang pwersa na alagaan ang kagubatan.”
In 2020, Forest Foundation awarded a PHP 3.5 M grant to PPBCSI for the implementation of the “Rewilding Mt. Balagbag through Reforestation, Forest Protection, and Ecotourism project.” The project supported the hiring and capacity-building of forest guards in law enforcement, reforestation, nursery management and operations, and ecotourism. In 2022, Forest Foundation awarded another grant, amounting to PHP 4.5 M, to PPBCSI to sustain and scale up its work in Mt. Balagbag.
About the Organizations:
Keywords Studios Manila is a global service provider to the video games industry. Established in 2016, it provides customer service, quality assurance, social media and community management services to a blue chip client base, which includes 22 of the top 25 game companies by revenue.
Forest Foundation Philippines is a non-profit organization that provides grants and technical assistance to individuals and organizations that protect and conserve the forests.
Philippine Parks and Biodiversity Conservation Service Inc. is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to conserve Philippine biodiversity through the sustainable development of parks, protected areas, and the restoration of ecosystems.
Note: Direct quotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.
