Wovoka Philippines, GCash GForest Partner to Plant 1 Million Trees in Oriental Mindoro and Camarines Norte to Support Long-Term Ecosystem Restoration

Climate tech project development company Wovoka Philippines and GForest, the sustainability initiative of GCash, signed a memorandum of agreement to plant over 1 million native trees and mangrove species over the next 5 years, from 2026-2030, across forest and coastal communities in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Camarines Norte.

The partnership reaffirms the shared commitment of Wovoka and GCash to nation-building and long-term ecosystem restoration in observance of Philippine Arbor Day.

Deforestation and coastal degradation continue to heighten the effects of climate change in vulnerable areas, reducing biodiversity and exposing towns to floods and storm surges. This ongoing environmental decline also destroys resources that communities depend on, directly harming traditional industries and increasing vulnerability to climate and financial risks.

Ecosystem restoration is one important nature-based solution that complements broader climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Through science-based restoration planning and long-term monitoring, Wovoka Philippines and GCash will strengthen ecological resilience by restoring watersheds, improving coastal protection, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing erosion in Oriental Mindoro and Camarines Norte.

A tech-driven climate partnership

The five-year collaboration establishes a structured timeline committed to planting native trees across both upland and coastal zones. This large-scale initiative aims to restore degraded upland forests and coastal ecosystems, increasing their capacity to naturally store carbon while strengthening biodiversity and climate resilience.

Through GForest, users can support this initiative and help local communities simply by earning green energy points through everyday digital transactions. These points can be converted into tree-planting efforts, making it easy for more Filipinos to participate in environmental conservation.

“This tech-for-good partnership with Wovoka Philippines, we are utilizing the scale of GCash to build real-world ecological barriers and secure green livelihoods for the communities that need them most,” said Michelle Fernandez, general manager of Sustainability and Corporate Communications of GCash.

Partnering with a dedicated organization like Wovoka Philippines ensures that all planting efforts adhere to strict ecological standards, with only native and ecologically appropriate species planted, which better adapt to local conditions, support indigenous wildlife, and help restore natural ecological processes.

Empowering communities through green livelihoods

Beyond tree planting, the initiative integrates local communities directly into the conservation efforts. Community members are tapped to plant, monitor, and maintain the forests, turning environmental restoration into a viable, long-term source of income. They will also monitor tree survival and site health over the life of the project to help ensure restoration outcomes beyond the initial planting phase.

Local farmers and coastal workers maintaining the planting sites will receive stable streams of revenue, and families will be provided with predictable, year-round stipends for nursing care and conducting regular site patrols, reducing the impact of seasonal income gaps.

By merging digital technology, environmental science, and community participation, the GCash-Wovoka partnership will serve as a model for sustainable regional development.

Together, these initiatives highlight how large-scale public participation can translate into measurable environmental impact, even redefining corporate sustainability, as digital platforms can move beyond the screen to support real-world environmental protection and strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable communities.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

Eastern Communications Champions Sustainability with Globe and InfiniVAN at PDSCN Mangrove Tree Planting Activity

BACOLOD CITY - Eastern Communications, alongside the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) consortium, participated in a mangrove tree-planting activity in Purok Calubay on May 22. Conducted as part of the consortium’s post-Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) commitments, this initiative marks a significant milestone in the organization’s continuous support towards sustainable development and climate action.

Organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in partnership with Bago City LGU, CENRO Bago, and other stakeholders, the initiative highlighted the importance of safeguarding coastal communities.

The activity opened with an orientation led by Bago City Environment and Management Office (CEMO) Representative Rex Magbanua, who emphasized the critical role mangroves play in protecting coastal communities from storm surges and coastal erosion. He cited the impact of Super Typhoon Odette in 2021, which heavily affected Bacolod and the rest of Negros Occidental, as a reminder of the importance of strengthening climate resilience initiatives.

Mangrove tree planting is a community-driven initiative that helps protect coastlines, support marine biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience. Through initiatives like these, organizations contribute to environmental protection efforts while supporting vulnerable coastal communities and advancing meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

For communities such as Purok Calubay, mangroves serve as nature-based solutions that help mitigate flooding and soil erosion while supporting local livelihoods, including fisheries and other coastal resources.

"This initiative reflects our belief that creating meaningful impact goes beyond providing reliable and responsive connectivity," said Jed Estanislao, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer of Eastern Communications. "By supporting sustainability-driven partnerships and community-centered programs, we aim to help strengthen environmental resilience, empower local communities, and contribute to long-term sustainable development."

Through initiatives like the mangrove tree-planting activity, Eastern Communications continues to support programs that create positive social and environmental impact. As the company expands its presence across the Philippines, it remains committed to combining future-ready connectivity solutions with efforts that create lasting value for both people and the planet.

To learn more about Eastern Communications and their upcoming partnerships, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.

Help restore our primary rainforests with your Globe Rewards points

All Globe Prepaid, Postpaid, and TM customers have a chance to help restore the Philippines’ primary rainforest cover when they donate their Rewards points to Hineleban Foundation by March 31, 2019.

Hineleban (He-ne-leu-ban) is a Sacred Binukid term literally meaning “Mother Tree of the rainforest that sustains the cycle of all life”. Hineleban Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization based in Bukidnon, Mindanao. Their vision is to ensure the nation’s water, food, and human security by reforesting the mountain ranges of Mindanao, home to the country’s last watersheds.  These ranges are inhabited by Indigenous People (IP’s) and Bangsamoro communities. Hineleban Foundation together with Globe, have partnered in this enormous task by entering into a Sacred Customary Compact with the IP’s and a Peace and Development role with the Bangsamoro People, agreeing to join efforts by identifying steps to fulfill this dream.

“We continue our commitment to environmental sustainability and want to make it easier for our customers and stakeholders to integrate it into their lives. We encourage everyone to spread the word to their families and friends so that more aid could be provided to our country’s primary rainforests. We believe that through small, simple ways, anyone can contribute in preserving and protecting the environment including our rainforests,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

Be part of the rainforestation advocacy by easily donating your Globe Rewards points. Every 100 Rewards points donation is equivalent to one tree. To donate, just download the Globe Rewards app on your mobile device and click the “DONATE” banner. Tap “HELP100” and press “REDEEM”. Upon receiving the confirmation message, tap on the Hineleban site to name your tree. Enter your name, email, mobile number, and tree name, then wait for a confirmation prompt that you have successfully named your tree.

Globe and Hineleban Foundation’s partnership began in December 2016, whose combined efforts are currently reforesting 300 hectares of denuded primary rainforests, a fraction of the 44,000 hectares surveyed and targeted by Hineleban Foundation in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur. The program born from the Globe-Hineleban partnership is structured into five phases over a 5-year period, lasting until December 2021.

The reforestation process begins with the planting of calliandra to quell acidic cogonal grass. This is followed by the planting of tree species that are ideal for agroforestry, including brazilian fire trees and Caribbean pine trees. Intercropping then becomes the objective, with 600 indigenous tree species per hectare planted to secure the area as a permanent watershed. Some of the species grown are almon, bagtikan, mayapis, apitong, red lauan, palosapis, white lauan, olayan, katii and nato. Hineleban Foundation’s reforestation methodology is internationally recognized, having received the Grand Prize Award for best project in the forestry sector, from the Agricultural Research Centre for International Development and the French Development Agency in 2015.

Aside from its partnership with Hineleban Foundation, Globe also pursues other environmental sustainability advocacies as part of its responsible corporate citizenship. In 2015, Globe launched its paperless billing campaign to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of Life on Land–centered on protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss. Today, Globe customers now have an option to simply receive their monthly billings via email. In 2018, it also spearheaded 2 Marine Biodiversity Conservation Workshops for Sustainable Business Practices in Boracay Island and Siargao. This is in partnership with Save Philippine Seas.

Be an advocate and visit hineleban.org to know more about Hineleban Foundation. For more information about Globe and its #GlobeOfGood stories, follow Globe Bridging Communities on Facebook.