Sta. Clara marks Golden Jubilee with watershed tree-planting drive

Sta. Clara International Corp. is marking its 50th anniversary not with an extravagant celebration, but with a gesture designed to endure beyond the milestone itself: Planting trees as a symbol of gratitude, partnership and environmental responsibility.

The major Philippine engineering and construction company has chosen tree planting as a centerpiece of its golden anniversary observance, underscoring a long-term commitment to sustainability that also finds expression in its institutional partnership with the Million Trees Foundation Inc.

Sta. Clara chairperson and managing director Nicandro G. Linao, in a letter to foundation president and executive director Melandrew T. Velasco, said the company wanted to commemorate five decades of growth with simplicity and purpose.

Rather than stage a grand celebration, Sta. Clara will plant and name trees in honor of partners who have contributed to the company’s journey and growth over the years.

The initiative carries special significance for the foundation, as Sta. Clara has been one of its institutional partners since its inception in 2021, supporting ongoing advocacy for reforestation, watershed protection and environmental stewardship.

The partnership is set to expand with Linao expected to join the foundation’s board of trustees. He brings decades of corporate and infrastructure experience, alongside the firm’s institutional commitment to environmental sustainability.

For the foundation, Linao’s entry into the board reflects a core principle of its mission: Protecting the environment requires sustained collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society and local communities.

Sta. Clara has consistently supported the foundation and its environmental programs, including activities linked to the Annual Million Trees Challenge, a multisectoral initiative that mobilizes partners to plant and nurture millions of trees in critical watersheds and other designated areas.