Hope takes root: Aboitiz starts 40-year green mission

Months after sealing a historic 40-year partnership with the Provincial Government of Cebu, the Aboitiz Foundation, the CSR arm of Aboitiz, the Philippines’ first techglomerate, has officially launched CarbonPH — its flagship program to protect, restore, and sustainably manage over 40,000 hectares of forests and watershed areas in the province.

At the heart of the mission is the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) and its surrounding forestlands, Cebu’s main watershed and a vital lifeline for millions of residents. Years of illegal land use, deforestation, and unchecked development have degraded the area, resulting in water shortages and threatening native species like the Cebu Flowerpecker and Black Shama.

Launched in 2024, CarbonPH now moves from vision to action. The Foundation is actively mapping priority reforestation sites, preparing nursery stocks, and building grassroots partnerships for large-scale forest restoration using native and endemic species, including bamboo and mangroves.

Since the partnership was formalized, the Foundation has conducted three major community-based training programs to ensure inclusive, science-backed implementation. Two bamboo propagation workshops at Kabilin Nature Farm in Balamban trained People’s Organizations and barangay leaders on nursery management and riparian restoration along the Mananga River. A third training in San Remigio focused on mangrove education and rehabilitation, equipping fisherfolk, women’s groups, and LGU representatives with the tools to lead community-based coastal recovery.

These efforts not only lay the ecological groundwork for CarbonPH — they also provide green livelihood opportunities and build local stewardship.

But the mission goes beyond tree planting.

CarbonPH is a long-term nature-based solution that links environmental protection with economic empowerment and improved community well-being. By restoring forests and watersheds, the program enhances air and water quality, reduce disaster risks, and fosters healthier living conditions for nearby communities. Local communities will help manage forest areas, lead eco-tourism initiatives, and cultivate sustainable forest products — turning conservation into opportunity.

“This project is about more than planting trees. It’s about creating lasting impact — for the environment, for our water supply, and for the communities that depend on them,” said Sabin Aboitiz, chairman of the Aboitiz Foundation.

Working closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and local governments, the Foundation is ensuring that implementation is both science-driven and community-led. Tree planting is scheduled to begin in the coming months, with millions of trees expected to take root over the next four decades.

Through CarbonPH, the Aboitiz Foundation reinforces its commitment to co-create sustainable solutions and address climate challenges. For only P100,000 per hectare, individuals and organizations can help grow 1,000 native and bamboo trees — an investment in clean air, safe water and a greener Cebu.

Help us protect and restore Cebu’s forests and its only watershed. Let’s grow hope — together.