INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology

The partnership aims to leverage the use of technology and advanced Machine Learning solutions to support environmental sustainability in Sasmuan . Reinforcing this partnership is the participation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ( DENR ) and the Local Government Unit ( LGU ) of Sasmuan , Pampanga .

This five-party collaboration will further enhance the conservation of the Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area ( SBMCHEA ), recently declared by the DENR as a protected area .

Located in the municipality of Sasmuan , Pampanga , this includes a 405-hectare mangrove wetland , which is an important habitat to many endemic , migratory and threatened water bird species . In addition , its mangrove swamps serve as natural flood and typhoon barriers and help to preserve marine biodiversity .

In 2021 , the mangrove swamps of Sasmuan were also designated as the eighth wetland of international importance in the Philippines under the Ramsar Convention , an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands .

Under the MOA , Ericsson will deploy AIenabled CCTV cameras to identify migratory bird species and enable better preservation of endangered wildlife in Sasmuan ,

Pampanga . PLDT will host the cloud system for the data that will be collected by the AI cameras , while Smart will provide end-to-end Internet mobile connectivity . The relevant data will then be processed via a dashboard made available to the DENR and the LGU of Sasmuan , Pampanga .

Melissa Vergel de Dios , First Vice President and Head of PLDT ’ s Sustainability and Investor Relations Offices , said : “ This partnership demonstrates how we can leverage information and communications technology or ICT and connectivity in caring for the environment and preserving it for the next generation . Together with Ericsson , we continue to explore innovations to see how we can create more Internet of Things ( IoT ) and AI technology-based solutions that could address environmental challenges and help mitigate climate change .”

This latest partnership follows a previous Connected Mangroves project in 2017 , where an IoT solution for the reforestation of mangroves was deployed in the same LGU in Pampanga . Data such as water level , humidity , soil moisture and temperature , was also captured by solar-powered sensors via wireless connectivity over a cloud system . This information then allowed the community to better manage the area ’ s conservation . Based on a census in 2020 , over 50,000 birds are using SBMCHEA as a migration stopover .

Martin Wiktorin , Head of Ericsson Singapore , Brunei and the Philippines , said : “ Our approach to sustainability and corporate responsibility is an integral part of Ericsson ’ s strategy and culture , that is embedded across all our operations . Our vision is to create a world where limitless connectivity improves lives , redefines business and pioneers a sustainable future and this latest partnership embodies this .

“ As a long-standing partner to Smart , we are constantly striving to leverage technology to create positive impact on communities , first with the use of IoT to connect mangroves and now with AI to further protect nature as well as the ecological biodiversity in the Philippines .” p

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