Press Release
Century Pacific, GCash, and HOPE have planted one million coconut trees through the help of GForest.
GForest is an environmental protection feature on the GCash app that allows users to take an active role in helping mother nature through tree planting. Through the platform, GCash users earn green energy points, which can be converted into virtual trees. In turn, CNPF, GCash, and HOPE plant a real coconut tree for every virtual tree through the app.
The campaign to plant one million coconut trees was launched in August 2021.
The first GForest tree planting program was held in Mindanao. A total of one million coconut trees were planted, benefitting more than 7,300 smallholder farmers, 32 percent of whom are women.
“We are happy to partner with HOPE and Century Pacific in making our goal of a greener Philippines become a reality. Together, we were able to achieve planting 1 million coconut trees – a significant milestone for the communities that can positively impact their livelihood,” said Winsley Bangit, GCash Chief Customer Officer.
As one of the top producers and exporters of coconut products worldwide, the Philippines has approximately 3.5 million coconut farmers. Majority of them are smallholder farmers living in Mindanao. Providing them with coconut seedlings to replace non-fruit bearing senile trees helps improve their farm’s productivity and boost their income.
Tinggalong Embato is among the smallholder farmers who received seedlings from the group.
“I want to continue farming for my children’s sake. It’s where I get my source of income so they can study and have a good future,” he said.
Ilusion Farias, Managing Director of Friends of Hope, said the group had a wonderful experience collaborating with Century Pacific and Gcash.
“We have been able to reach many families this season by planting a million coconut trees. This not only helps save the livelihoods of many farmers in the Philippines but also helps our planet breathe a little easier,” Farias said.
Planting a million trees sequesters greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and helps expand long-term coconut supply in the region.
CNPF’s coconut manufacturing arm, Century Pacific Agricultural Ventures, Inc. (CPAVI), also engages farmers as suppliers through local community purchasing programs, providing them market access for their produce.
Said Noel Tempongko Jr., Vice President and General Manager of CPAVI: “The global competitiveness of the Philippine coconut industry is hinged on the strength and sustainability of our value chain. It is important to build resilient farming communities, enhance long-term supply, and promote fair trade. We are grateful to our partners, GCash and HOPE, for working with us hand in hand on this program that empowers our farmers and makes our planet greener at the same time. ”
