For the fourth year in a row, the Aboitiz Group has conducted the rehabilitation of Cebu A-Park, which will enhance and revitalize the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve.
The initiative forms part of the corporate social responsibility efforts of the Aboitiz Foundation and various Aboitiz business units in Cebu including the Visayan Electric Company, in collaboration with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). The project aligns with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Enhanced National Greening Program, underscoring the Aboitiz Group commitment to co-create safe, empowered, and sustainable communities.
This year’s project aims to rehabilitate, protect, and conserve 30 hectares of the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve. With plans for planting over 150,000 seedlings, establishing a riparian, and creating a butterfly sanctuary, the project demonstrates the Aboitiz Group’s dedication to nature-based carbon emission management through its flagship program, A-Park.
As the group embarks on its Great Transformation to become the Philippines’ first Techglomerate, sustainability takes center stage. The ongoing partnership between the Aboitiz Group and PBSP under the Cebu A-Park program is vital for the continued rehabilitation of the protected forest, addressing the impending water crisis in Metro Cebu, and stands as a beacon of hope and environmental stewardship.
Over the planned five-year program, the initiative not only focuses on environmental conservation but also provides sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
“For us in the Aboitiz Group, sustainability is an integral part of our Great Transformation journey. We will stay actively focused on developing environmentally and socially impactful initiatives for all our stakeholders, as we continue to advance business and communities,” said Aboitiz Foundation chief operating officer Mardi Mapa-Suplido.
The Buhisan Project, part of A-Park, has played a pivotal role in reforestation efforts, adopting 150 hectares in the Buhisan Watershed. Through partnerships and community engagement, the project ensures a stable water supply for Metro Cebu while providing livelihood opportunities for local organizations.
“Visayan Electric is committed to ensure that this project will continue not just for the environment but also to ensure the steady supply of water to Cebu,” said Visayan Electric president and COO Raul Lucero.
Future goals for the Buhisan Project will include planting over 250,000 native trees, achieving an 80 percent survival rate, establishing a central tree nursery, and creating a two-kilometer riparian. With sustainability at the core of the Great Transformation, the Aboitiz Group remains committed to developing initiatives that have a positive impact on the environment and society.
