GCash and Aboitiz Foundation Partner with Balamban for 71,000-Hectare Reforestation and Flood Control Project in Cebu

A private consortium led by GCash and the Aboitiz Foundation has teamed up with the Balamban municipal government in Cebu to launch a multi-phase climate resilience initiative. The project aims to reforest up to 71,000 hectares across Cebu Province, with the first phase targeting one million physical trees across 1,000 to 1,200 hectares of critical watersheds and coastal areas. These efforts are tied to 10.3 million digital tree commitments made through GCash's GForest program, linking app usage to on-the-ground planting. The initiative pairs tree planting with engineering measures like river dredging using an amphibious backhoe to address severe flooding from typhoons such as Odette and Tino. The municipality is also planting root-dense bamboo along riverbanks to stabilize soil and restore ecosystems. Local farmers and community groups are involved in maintaining the planted areas to ensure survival. This public-private partnership demonstrates how digital platforms can translate into tangible environmental action while supporting flood control and biodiversity restoration.