Over 10 percent
of the world’s population depends on fisheries and agriculture for their
livelihood and for many people, fish is a major source of protein in their
diet. Yet, these vital resources are
continuously threatened by overfishing, illegal fishing, climate change, water
pollution, and other dangers to marine life.
This situation
prompted the US government to come out withFishackathon in 2014 to tap the
expertise of tech-savvy individuals through a two-day coding marathon aimed at
developing apps that could benefit sustainable fisheries and the communities
that they support.
From just a
handful of US cities during its first year, Fishackathon 2016 has expanded to
42 cities in six continents which included Manila given that the issue is very
relevant to an island nation like the Philippines.
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| US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg addresses the participants to Fishackathon 2016 Manila hosted by Globe Telecom |
“The fish that
the people rely on for food, the coastal areas which are so vulnerable to
typhoons and water surges, eco-tourism, climate change, effects of pollution to
coral reefs -- these are extremely important to the Philippines and that’s why
we want to use your talent to help address these concerns. We know firsthand
the efficiency and innovation that the tech sector can bring to the table in
approaching one of the world’s biggest problems,” US Ambassador to the
Philippines Philip Goldberg told the participants during his opening remarks at
Fishackathon Manila hosted by Globe Telecom over the weekend.
On the other
hand, Glenn Estrella, Globe Vice President for Digital Ventures rallied
everyone to make a difference both for the Philippines and the world even as he
noted that Globe strongly supports the use of technology in saving and
preserving the environment.
“Like any
innovation, technology and marine protection are two different ideas that come
together. Greater ideas are born from
the joining of the minds. I witnessed
how the telecommunications industry evolve and it is very exciting to see what
we can do to improve everyone’s lives.
Thishackathon is not about popularity or how many people will use the
app but it is about solving a problem,” said Estrella. “We would like to see more partnerships and
events on other grassroots topics. We
need more activities that touch more people.”
Globe is
currently very active in its sustainability campaign to create a #WonderfulPHthrough
positive societal impact with the use of modern technology. It hasongoing eco-tourism partnershipswith PUSOD on protection and enhancement of Taal
Lake in Batangas ecosystem; Save Philippine Seas on protection of thresher
sharks through engagement and education of community stakeholders in
Malapascua, Cebu; Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative on the establishment of
an environment hotline center in Boracay, Malay, Aklan; and Casa San Miguel on
livelihood opportunities for those living along the coastal barangays of San
Antonio, Zambales.
Fishackathon
2016 Manila was a joint effort by the US Embassy Manila, US Agency for
International Development (USAID), mobile content marketing firm Tone, and
Globe Telecom.
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