1 million coconut trees to be planted in Mindanao via Century Pacific, GCash, HOPE partnership

Some one million coconut trees are expected to be planted in South Cotabato and Sarangani in the next two years through a joint initiative of Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CNPF), mobile wallet GCash, and non-profit organization HOPE.

Billed as GForest, the project allows GCash users to use a feature on its mobile app to help the environment by using various GCash cashless services to gain "green energy" which can then be collected to plant  virtual trees.

For every virtual tree planted, CNPF, GCash and HOPE will plant a real tree in southern Philippines.

With the tree-planting partnership, coconut farmers in Mindanao will not only benefit from improved farming productivity and profitability but also have a positive effect on female farmers, who comprise 40% of the farmers in the program.

According to CNPF, the project will specifically cover the areas of Banga, Surallah, Norala, Koronadal, General Santos City, Malungon, Glan, Alabel, Malapatan, Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum, Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi.

“We are thankful to our partners, GCash and HOPE, for giving us an opportunity to expand our sustainability program holistically - involving consumers and leveraging cashless technology,” Noel Tempongko, Vice President and General Manager of CNPF’s coconut division, said.

“The program enables us to boost the livelihoods of the coconut farming community in Mindanao and at the same time improve coconut farming productivity and quality of supply, which are all beneficial to our growing coconut business. This also accelerates our journey towards carbon neutrality.”

Meanwhile, Nanette Medved-Po, HOPE chairperson and president, said, “Through this initiative, we are able to reach out to millions of GCash users, encouraging them to preserve the environment while helping to support smallholder farmers.” -Kaela Malig/MDM, GMA News