Mt. Bangkaan, is a part of the mountain range that surrounds the Kaliwa Watershed where Laiban Dam, a possible second water source for Metro Manila, is located. Volunteers from the 10 member institutions of the YGC visit this area every quarter to undertake agricultural activities related to tree growing and ensure that 50,000 trees will fill the area by 2020.

The YGC Earthcare Project: A 100-hectare Greening Project of the Yuchengco Group of Companies

For years, Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) has accomplished various corporate social responsibility activities in response to the needs of the times; but none as extensive as the YGC Earth Care Project.

In its inception during YGC’s Centennial Anniversary, the YGC Earth Care Project became a partnership venture amongst the YGC, the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Samahan ng mga Magsasaka ng San Andres, Inc (SAMASAI), an organization of indigenous peoples in Tanay. In order to show support for the government’s National Greening Program (NGP), YGC chose to engage in a multi-phased tree-planting project.

DENR allotted a 100-hectare planting area in Mt. Bangkaan located in Barangay San Andres, Tanay, Rizal. Tree-planting activities were accomplished in different phases since the project started in 2011. A total of 10 member institutions of YGC namely RCBC, RCBC Savings Bank, RCBC Bankard, Malayan Insurance, MAPUA, EEI Corporation, Honda Quezon City, Isuzu Manila, House of Investment and YGC Corporate Services Inc., (YGC-CSI), fully supported the Project in Tanay, Rizal to ensure that 50,000 trees will fill the entirety of Mount Bangkaan by 2020.

Through the years, YGC has acknowledged the importance of the prime areas surrounding Mt. Bangkaan and its relationship to the people of Metro Manila. It is a part of the mountain range that surrounds the Kaliwa Watershed where Laiban Dam is located. Incidentally, Laiban Dam is being considered as a possible second water supply source for Metro Manila.

The project has also boosted the enthusiasm of the YGC employees on environment protection and the importance of greening Mt. Bangkaan.  There are more than 100 volunteer employees supported by eight (8) “katutubo” families from the SAMASAI group who take care of the seedlings to ensure that the trees will grow and green Mt. Bangkaan by 2020.

The group visits Mt. Bangkaan on a quarterly basis, rain or shine, to undertake agricultural activities related to tree growing like strip clearing, fertilizer application, firebreak establishment, and replanting of trees if necessary.