As continuous natural disasters underscore the urgency for environmental action, the private sector must step up to help restore ecosystems and promote long-term sustainability. The Yuchengco Group of Companies’ (YGC) Earth Care Project is a blueprint for genuine, long-term commitment, moving beyond simple tree planting to a comprehensive ecosystem restoration and climate risk mitigation strategy. It establishes a powerful model where a deep commitment to caring for nature also empowers communities and uplifts lives.
The initiative focuses on the restoration of previously degraded land in the heart of the Sierra Madre mountain range, adopting Mt. Bangkaan in Tanay, Rizal. Launched in 2011, the project is a centennial commitment to watershed protection and reforestation. Unlike typical short-term initiatives, YGC ensures every planted sapling—a mix of native and fruit-bearing species—thrives to maturity, a long-term dedication sustained through continuous funding and management.
The true innovation of the project lies in its sustainable partnership model. By working with local Indigenous Peoples, the project adopted an agroforestry approach, which is crucial for maximizing vegetative cover, improving soil health, and preventing erosion. This model is economically empowering for the community partners, with stable livelihood income from harvests expected to begin in the next three to five years, proving that environmental care and sustainable economics go hand-in-hand.
This holistic vision for the future is championed by YGC Chairperson Helen Yuchengco Dee, who states, “We need to protect and nurture our forests and watersheds if we want these to remain sanctuaries for biodiversity and indigenous heritage in the next 100 years. The actions we take today have a direct consequence on our tomorrow.”
With 28,000 trees surviving across the harsh terrains, the collective effort is successfully transforming the landscape. The YGC Earth Care Project demonstrates that commitment, collaboration, and a sustainable mindset are the essential foundation for a healthier planet and a more equitable, future-proof society.
The Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) is a premiere Philippine conglomerate with a diversified portfolio including financial services, education, property management, renewable energy and power generation, to name a few. YGC is composed of market leaders and innovators like Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), Malayan Insurance, Sun Life Grepa Financial Inc., Mapúa University, PetroEnergy Resources Corporation.
YGC continues to energize industries and improve Filipino communities as a partner in nation-building and a driving force behind sustainable economic progress.
