Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI) marks the start of its annual Volunteer Week with a tree planting activity at the La Mesa Nature Reserve last September 16, 2022. Employees of CPI and Chevron Holdings Inc. – Manila Shared Services Center headed to the reserve to preserve its natural beauty and help make Metro Manila’s lungs healthier.
Chevron, in partnership with ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, conducted the Go Green and Save Trees activity to help save the La Mesa Watershed, which absorbs 3 percent to 5 percent of NCR’s carbon emissions and is the source of drinking water for 12 million people.
About 53 participants from Chevron joined the tree planting, which is the company’s first face-to-face activity in two years. Each participant handled five seedlings of Malapapaya and Arungin. By the end of the day, the volunteers were able to plant 400 Malapapaya and Arungin seedlings in the nature reserve.
Lance Llamas, the contracts advisor of Chevron Holding Inc.’s global services sector and a first-time volunteer, shared his experience: “It was a really challenging but fulfilling experience. Having to trek the trail up to the area where we planted the seedlings helped us appreciate the experience more. Overall, the activity made us realize the importance of every little thing we do for the environment.”
“Waking up extra early for this activity was definitely worth it. We were able to stretch our legs, take a break from our work devices and, best of all, give back to Mother Nature, who needs our help now more than ever. It was a great learning experience, and I am hoping for more activities like this in the following years,” added Anna Enriquez a volunteer from Chevron Philippines Inc.
As a company that strives to enable human progress in a sustainable manner, Chevron remains committed to advocating environmental protection among its employees.
“Through this tree planting activity, we are able to protect and further beautify the watershed, which then helps Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces. At the same time, the experience of hiking and trekking has been a great exercise for the body besides giving us a chance to commune with nature. We at Chevron will strive to include more of our employees in our environmental activities such as this one as these will greatly benefit them and our environment,” said Arlita Narag, corporate affairs manager at Chevron Holdings Inc.
Chevron has previously partnered with ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya on other environment-related activities as both companies share the same vision of protecting the environment.
“We are grateful to ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya for this opportunity to collaborate with them once again on such a fulfilling and meaningful event. Chevron believes it is important to include environment-focused activities in our corporate social responsibility initiatives. Caring for Mother Earth will benefit not only us but future generations as well. Our friends at La Mesa said it best that every Filipino is an earth warrior,” said Billy Liu, CPI country chairman and general manager.