100 hectares, 100 farmers

Washington SyCip is an icon, not just in the business sector but also in social development. A known philanthropist, SyCip was one of the 50 business leaders who founded the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in 1970, believing that the business sector can contribute to the development of the country.

To commemorate the 100th birth year of SyCip, SGV Foundation and PBSP will implement the 100 Hectares, 100 Farmers Project for Washington Sycip’s 100th Year Reforestation Project. The project aims to contribute to environmental sustainability and reversal of loss of environmental resources.

“It is befitting that on the 75th year of SGV and 50th founding year of PBSP, we commemorate and celebrate the 100th birth year of Mr. Washington Sycip, one of PBSP’s founding members. Thank you SGV Foundation, for making us a part of this. You can just only imagine how deeply rooted Mr. Washington Sycip and his principles are embedded into the core values of both our organizations,” said PBSP Executive Director Elvin Ivan Uy.

A MILESTONE PROJECT

The project, which will be implemented in a span of six years, is expected to reforest 60 hectares of agroforestry lands in the Marikina Watershed and 40 hectares in the Buhisan Watershed and Forest Reserve. The reforestation project aims to grow more than 160,000 native and fruit bearing trees.

To ensure the growth of the seedlings, the project will also engage farmers in the watersheds to plant and maintain the trees. This will also help provide additional income to the farmers in the area.

“Given the country’s high vulnerability to climate change risks, this program aligns with SGV’s Purpose to help create a better Philippines for current and future generations. Contributing to nation-building has always been one of SGV’s core values – a legacy handed down to us by our founder, Mr. Washington SyCip. We believe that this project, in honor of Mr. SyCip’s 100^th birth anniversary, is a fitting articulation of Mr. SyCip’s personal advocacies on sustainability, the environment, and poverty-reduction. From a global perspective, this initiative also underlines SGV’s commitment, as a member firm of EY Global, to support EY’s ambition to become carbon net zero by 2025,” says Wilson P. Tan, Chairman and Country Managing Partner of SGV & Co.

A member company of PBSP since 1971, SGV has been supporting various initiatives in environment, education and disaster response.