GCash to plant 2.3 million trees by 2023

GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, ups the ante with its reforestation efforts as it aims to plant 2.3 million trees by 2023 through its GForest mini-game on the app.

The fintech company kicked off this goal earlier in July with the launch of a partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation. The goal of the partnership is the conservation, reforestation and enrichment of La Mesa Watershed, starting with the planting of 160,000 trees.

The event was attended by Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu, GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon, Ayala Corporation chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, ABS-CBN Foundation executive director Ernie Lopez, ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Roberta Lopez-Feliciano, and ABS-CBN corporation chair Mark Lopez. The launch was hosted by TV news anchor and journalist Bernadette Sembrano.

“As of February, we planted 1 million trees already with the goal to expand to 2.3 million trees in 2023,” said Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu.

GCash’s aim to plant 2.3 million trees by 2023 is made possible through the app’s sustainability feature, GForest. Through GForest, users can plant virtual trees on the app, which GCash then plants in real life nationwide with through its partners.

“We are excited to launch our goal with ABS-CBN Foundation, and we look forward to working with all our partners, such as ABS-CBN and Ayala Corporation,” said GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon. “Together, we will be adopting 160,000 trees on our way to plant 2.3 million trees by 2023. This is a significant step in helping our country fight deforestation. We all know that every single tree matters.”

GCash’s mission is to make Filipinos’ everyday lives better, and through this initiative, the company strives to fight climate change and prevent deforestation and their devastating effects, such as flooding during typhoon season and decreased water supply.

“We are brought together by a common vision and advocacy, a shared belief and the importance of its last remaining forest. We breathe her air and receive life and refreshment from her waters. Let us love and respect nature in all her awe-inspiring expressions,” said ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Roberta Lopez-Feliciano.

“We are honored to work with GCash to achieve our mutual goal of environmental stewardship through reforestation,” said ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Roberta Lopez Feliciano. “Together with other organizations and communities, we will continue to pursue our shared vision of a greener and brighter future for all Filipinos.”

For his part, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corporation chair, called it “a great initiative,” adding, “I am proud to become a part of the green forest network.”

Aside from GForest, GCash enables its users to reduce their carbon footprint and help save the environment through the app’s various digital financial services. With GCash features, such as GSave for a savings account and “Pay Bills” feature for paying bills for utilities, schools, and the like, more and more Filipinos don’t need to drive to the bank and other places, decreasing pollution while offering convenience and safety in the new normal. To date, GCash has more than 60 million users.

The GCash app is available for free on the Google Play or App Store.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.