GCash receives WWF Philippines’ Corporate Partner Award

In recognition of its outstanding environment conservation initiatives, GCash, the country’s no.1 mobile wallet app, was recently given the Philippines’ Corporate Partner Award by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) during a recent ceremony held at the Fairmont Hotel, Makati.

The annual awarding program recognizes the outstanding collaboration and dedication towards the holistic conservation of the Philippine environment to “Change the ending” for people and the planet.

“We’re honored to receive such a meaningful award as it shows we’re on the right track towards helping protect and conserve our environment,” said Martha Sazon, GCash president and CEO.

GCash’s six-year Forest Project with the WWF-Philippines for Nature in Ipo Watershed aims to successfully conduct assisted natural regeneration and enrichment planting of 220,000 trees in 550 hectares of degraded forests in Ipo Watershed, which provides about 96 percent of Metro Manila’s water supply.

In the first three years of the project, they were able to accomplish the planting and maintenance of 108,743 trees which include Yakal, Dungon, Narra, Palosapis, Kupang, Bignai, and 11 more native species.

The carefully planned species composition provides a healthy biodiversity index and greatly contributes to the assisted natural regeneration of the Ipo Watershed. Likewise, the planting and maintenance of these trees are crucial in protecting the watershed’s cover, and consequently, the water security in the country. Healthy forests in the watersheds also serve as natural filters that safeguard the quality of water.

Apart from its partnership with the WWF-Philippines, GCash has also initiated the GForest program. Within the app, users can plant virtual trees through green energy points, which can be earned through various cashless transactions like bank transfers on the app. In turn, GCash plants real trees on their behalf. To date, GCash has already planted more than 1 million trees and are aiming for 2.3 Million trees in 2023.