This e-wallet’s conservation ecology initiatives continue to expand

The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, is home to a staggering 50,000 described species of plants, making it one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.

However, this rich biodiversity is under threat due to various human activities, such as deforestation, habitat exploitation, waste disposal, and pollution. Climate change exacerbates these threats, further endangering the country’s unique flora and fauna.

To combat the negative effects of climate change and preserve the environment, GCash, a leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, has launched GForest, a platform that enables GCash users to contribute to the preservation of the environment.

Through GForest, GCash users can plant trees virtually, which are then transformed into real trees to support the preservation of the country’s forest reserves.

To participate in GForest, GCash users can earn Green Energy Points (GEPs) through various transactions, such as buying load, sending money, paying bills, cash-in, and even walking up to 20,000 steps per day. Every transaction is a real contribution, so it’s important to collect energy every day.

Once users have enough GEPs, they can plant a virtual tree that will be planted by GCash and its local and international partners in key locations nationwide.

There are different types of trees to choose from, including the new Cannonball Mangrove, the Red Mangrove, and sometimes, there are even limited edition trees that can be planted at certain times of the year, such as a limited edition Pine Tree in December 2023.

GCash ensures that every virtual plant collected is converted into a real tree. As of 2023, GCash has planted over 2.7 million actual trees in 14 key areas nationwide, benefiting an estimated 8,600 smallholder farming families. GForest is not only helping the environment, but it also helps improve the livelihood of farmers in climate change-affected areas in the Philippines.

Participating in GForest is easy and can be done in four simple steps:

1. Earn GEPs by using GCash. Transactions like sending money, paying bills, buying load, and cashing-in your wallet will earn you points.
2. Collect your GEPs after 24 hours of your transaction on the GForest dashboard. Tap on your points to collect them – you can also collect points from your friends!
3. When you have enough points to plant a tree, head to the GForest virtual nursery and choose a tree to plant.
4. Once you’ve selected a tree, exchange your points to plant a virtual tree – and then, GCash and its partners will plant a real tree on your behalf! You’ll even receive a certificate for your valuable contribution to the country’s biggest digital eco-movement.

Through GCash, you can be part of a bigger digital eco-movement to rebuild the country’s forests. Keep giving back to the environment with a gift that will surely benefit it for many years to come. Be a green hero and contribute to rebuilding forests – one digital tree at a time when you use GCash.