MINERVA BC NEWMAN
CEBU CITY — City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift arm of Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) integrates a sustainability-driven approach in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives through Coastal Clean-up, Mangrove, and Tree Planting activities as its pledge on coastal and marine life conservation and fight against climate change.
CitySavings officials had participated coastal clean-up at Lemery, Batangas to take care of its vibrant ecosystem and Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur to preserve marine life at Dumanquillas Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (DBPLS) and in an international coastal clean-up in 2023.
The coastal clean-up in Lemery, Batangas and Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, CitySavings collected approximately 50 kg of debris from the coastal areas known for thriving fishing grounds and coastal resorts.ย ย The clean-up was a vital activity to eliminate wastes that threaten the vibrant ecosystem of the area.
The clean-up focus in Pagadian City was to protect the Dumanquillas Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (DBPLS) that is essential for preserving flagship species like the rabbit fish or Kitong, CitySavings said.
Beyond banking, CitySavings pledged to continue with these coastal conservation initiatives and green growth in 2024 to reinforce its commitment to environmental protection.ย ย The coastal clean-up initiative brought together employees, volunteers, and local communities, fostering a collaborative spirit to eliminate waste and debris from coastal areas.
Project SustainabiliTree: One Tree at A Time
To advance its contributions to sustainability, CitySavings rolled out two Project SustainabiliTree Programs in Medellin, Cebu, and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte in collaboration with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) and the 4th Marine Brigade.
CitySavings facilitated the planting of 1,000 mangrove trees in Medellin, and 500 Narra and Agoo trees in Pasuquin respectively. Project SustainabiliTree stands as a visionary initiative aimed at battling deforestation, amplifying carbon sequestration, and nurturing green spaces within communities.
Volunteers from City Savings Bank along with the residents of the host community and stakeholders actively join the mangrove planting at Medellin, Cebu to expand the nesting grounds of bird species, and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte to protect the watershed.
The mangroves planted in Medellin, Cebu, serve to expand nesting grounds for diverse bird species within the municipality, enriching its already thriving ecosystem. Similarly, the tree-growing initiative in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, plays a crucial role in reinstating the protective shield of the watershed in Vintar and Banban, Bangui.
All these efforts effectively minimize erosion, while concurrently boosting water yield for the neighboring communities and are pivotal in preserving the environment’s natural beauty and ensuring its long-term health.