Growing Greener Ecosystems: Pilmico supports CarbonPH x GForest Project in Cebu

Joining forces for greener ecosystems. Putting responsibility into action, Aboitiz Foods team members join fellow volunteers in planting native trees and bamboo in Balamban, Cebu, as part of the five-year CarbonPH x GForest ecosystem restoration project launched on World Bamboo Day and World Cleanup Day.

Environmental restoration is a shared responsibility that calls for sustained action and collaboration. 

In Balamban, Cebu, Aboitiz Foods team members, through Pilmico, joined more than 3,000 volunteers to celebrate World Bamboo Day and World Cleanup Day by launching the CarbonPH x GForest project last September 19, 2026.

Spearheaded by the Aboitiz Foundation under CarbonPH, in partnership with GCash through its GForest project, and the Municipality of Balamban, the five-year initiative aims to plant one million trees and restore 1,200 hectares of forest and coastal ecosystems.

Volunteers from the Aboitiz Group, GCash, local government, and communities came together for the project’s first on-the-ground activity to plant native trees and bamboo – all united by a common goal: helping restore the area’s natural ecosystems.

“Volunteering in Balamban was a fulfilling experience that showed me the importance of teamwork and taking responsibility for our shared goals. It was inspiring to stand alongside colleagues from across the One Aboitiz group,” said Patrice Gallardo, Technical Training Specialist at Aboitiz Foods, adding, “I hope to return to Balamban in a few years and see the riverbank flourishing with the trees we planted, knowing that our collective efforts today are helping build a greener future.”

Beyond tree planting, the project includes watershed rehabilitation, mangrove restoration, and agroforestry. Community participation in maintaining and monitoring restoration areas is central to its long-term approach, with opportunities to support sustainable livelihoods alongside environmental protection.

The initiative highlights how collective action can help protect biodiversity, safeguard water sources, and strengthen community resilience, supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

By supporting the CarbonPH x GForest project, Aboitiz Foods helps lay the groundwork for healthier ecosystems and more resilient communities. The initiative underscores that meaningful environmental impact goes beyond planting trees—it also requires nurturing their growth, protecting natural resources, and working together to sustain restoration efforts over time.

Read the full feature on how Aboitiz Foods advances sustainable development goals across its markets.