RUNNING FOR A GREENER FUTURE: THE GCASH ECO RUN PLANTS OVER 76,000 TREES THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF GREEN HEROES AND PARTNERS

 

First ever GCash Eco Run gathers 12,000 Eco Runners and sustainability partners to take collective action for mangrove reforestation in the Negros region

 

Philippines – The time, effort, and dedication needed to train for a race or marathon make crossing the finish line so rewarding for many runners. In the same way, creating a greener, more sustainable future requires the same level of collective commitment.

More than just a race, the first-ever GCash Eco Run turned the streets of Ayala Avenue, Makati, into an eco-movement. Over 12,000 eco-runners laced up their shoes—not just to set personal records but to make a lasting impact on the environment. With the support of its event sponsors and sustainability partners, this milestone initiative has already planted 76,000 trees across 11 hectares in the Negros region.

A race that goes beyond the finish line

In support of the South Negros Reforestation Initiative, a long-standing partnership between Silliman University and GCash, each sign-up to the GCash Eco Run contributed to the planting of a grey stilted mangrove tree in Negros Occidental. GCash doubled their commitment by pledging an additional tree for every participant. This means that the runners alone contributed 24,000 new trees.

Grey stilted mangroves play a vital role in environmental conservation as they mitigate the impacts of extreme weather and sequester carbon while providing habitats for marine life. As a result, mangrove forests are some of the most effective natural ecosystems for carbon storage today, making them a crucial asset in the fight against climate change.

GFOREST AND PARTNERS PLANT 4 MILLION TREES TO RESTORE NATURE AND UPLIFT LIVES

Philippines – GForest, the in-app tech platform created by GCash to empower users to contribute to various environmental initiatives, its planting partners and 21 million GForest “Green Heroes” active users, have planted a monumental 4 million trees in 2024. This milestone has advanced the ecological and socioeconomic impact of reforestation and agroforestry projects carried out in partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation, Culion Foundation, Friends of Hope, Inc., the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. (PCBI), Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), Silliman University, and The World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

GForest is a digital eco movement where anyone can help the environment and empower local communities with just a few taps on their phones. GCash users can plant virtual trees by converting green energy points that they earn from in-app digital transactions (such as paying bills, sending money, or buying load). Actual, corresponding native and indigenous trees are planted by environmental partners in key areas across the country, with the planting sites also maintained by members of local communities to support their livelihoods.

 

This achievement marks the success of a multi-stakeholder model where conservation experts, environmental organizations, local communities, and GForest app users can all significantly contribute to environmental efforts through climate technology, as they play a role in boosting the livelihoods of Filipino farmers.