Globe Telecom and HERO Foundation: Using ICT to reach out to families of fallen soldiers

Globe Telecom President and CEO  Ernest Cu (center) together with the scholars of HERO Foundation during the 25th anniversary of the organization.  Together with him are HERO Foundation officials, namely (from L-R):  Tony Aquino, President; Michelle Chan, Director for Marketing and Resource Mobilization; and Retired Major Gen. Renato Garcia, Executive Director for Operations

Globe Telecom was chosen by HERO Foundation to be its official telecommunications partner in reaching out to dependents of Filipino soldiers killed or permanently incapacitated due to enemy action or during their participation in disaster and relief programs.

Through Globe Corporate Social Responsibility and G-Xchange, Inc., the company supports HERO Foundation by providing two mobile postpaid plans to the organization and a Text Connect Facility that allows the sending of text blasts for HERO events. SIM cards with discounted call and text rates, mobile phones, and Globe GCash Powerpay ATM subsidy will also be given to all the 721 HERO scholars for cheaper disbursement of funds, more cash out options, and easier monitoring and evaluation.

In addition, Globe has opened a GCash Wallet for HERO Foundation.  Globe subscribers interested in providing educational assistance to HERO scholars can simply use the text messaging feature of their mobile phones and type DONATE<space><AMOUNT><space><4-DIGIT MPIN><space>HERO and send to 2882.  Moving forward, Globe subscribers may also send donations to HERO Foundation via *143#, GCash Mobile App and GCash Online.

“Globe has been a corporate donor of HERO Foundation for three years now and has already donated a total of P3M in cash. But we want to do more. We want to help them achieve equitable and responsive delivery of services to those in disadvantaged communities through sustainable and relevant technology solutions,” said Fernando Esguerra, OIC, Globe CSR.

At present, HERO Foundation provides stipends amounting from P5,000 to P25,000 for elementary, high school, college, and technical-vocational courses per scholar per year divided into two payments to cover miscellaneous expenses of the students such as books, uniforms, school supplies, among others.  

Currently, the scholars receive the stipends either through money remittance companies or bank deposits.  With the GCash Powerpay+ card, withdrawing the amount becomes easier and convenient since they can do it at any of the thousands of ATM machines scattered nationwide.  GXI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe which operates GCASH, will subsidize the P50 enrolment fee per card.