UCPB completes reforestation

The United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) completed the reforestation of 33.3 hectares of logged over area on the hills of Antipolo and commemorated recently the occasion by laying down a marker at the site.

The site forms part of the watershed of the Marikina River, a major source of water for Metro Manila’s industrial and residential use.

UCPB chairman and president Edward S. Go unveiled the commemorative marker in simple ceremonies before 140 employees of the UCPB Group.

The UCPB reforestation program, which is being carried out by the bank’s UCPB-CIIF Foundation started in 1990. UCPB-CIIF Foundation president Edgardo S. Amistad said the Foundation hired a full-time forester to oversee the reforestation effort and established a tree nursery on the site.

Over the past 12 years, UCPB Group employees have held annual treks to the hilly site to plant tree seedlings grown in the nursery. To-date, they have planted over 42,000 trees.

The UCPB Reforestation Program is one of the biggest and most successful reforestation initiative by a corporation. It was cited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 1995 for its important contribution to the national reforestation effort.

It also received the highly coveted Asian Banking Awards as the best environmental project by a financial institution in Asia in 2000.