GE volunteers plant trees in Sta. Rosa, Laguna

MANILA, Philippines - The rains did little to dampen the spirits of about 500 GE employees and their families who recently joined other volunteers from private companies, schools and LGUs in planting 5,000 tree saplings in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Mounted by Ayala Nuvali in partnership with Haribon Foundation, GE’s inaugural participation in the annual MulTREEply tree-planting activity was part of the company’s global commitment of creating a green and sustainable environment while promoting volunteerism in the workplace.

In recent years, GE has been at the forefront of many green initiatives around the world that create significant and measurable impact or the environment. Its multibillion-dollar “ecomagination” platform, in particular, taps into clean technology to build cost-effective and sustainable solutions that address environmental challenges while driving economic growth. GE’s collaborative partnership with Haribon Foundation and Nuvali underscores the company’s role as a strategic partner in protecting and preserving what Mother Nature has blessed us with.

During the event, GE employees and other participants converged at the expansive Nuvali Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, where they were briefed on the basics of tree-planting before being shuttled to their assigned areas. Volunteers literally got their hands dirty as they shoveled the soil and dug holes to plant the saplings. In the next 10 to 15 years, these saplings will grow into trees, a hectare of which is capable of absorbing six tons of carbon dioxide a year and supplying enough oxygen to sustain life.

Around 500 GE employees and their families joined other volunteers from private companies, schools and LGUs in planting 5,000 tree saplings in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Officers and VIPs from Haribon Foundation, the Ayala Nuvali team as well as GE business leaders led by GE Philippines CEO Jocot de Dios were also at the tree-planting site to show their support and share their time for this worthy cause.

“GE has always been passionate about protecting the environment. This resonates not only in our products and services but also in every GE employee who dedicates his time to worthy causes that make the world a better place. Our culture of volunteerism gives our employees a deeper sense of fulfillment in the same manner that our concerted volunteer efforts strengthen communities,” said de Dios.

All around the world, GE employees contribute their time, skills and effort to help improve the lives of people and communities where they live and work. Each year, the company’s more than 175 GE Volunteer Councils located in more than 46 countries go out to engage in activities that address pressing social issues facing communities. GE employees volunteer over 1 million hours of community service every year in over 1,000 service projects.

At the MulTREEply activity, GE Volunteers and their families were only too happy to share 2,400 man-hours on a notable undertaking that protects nature. Parlor games for the kids and families and a raffle game capped off the tree-planting activity.