Aboitiz Group’s thrift bank, City Savings Bank (CitySavings), a unit of Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), said it will do more coastal conservation in its pursuit of green growth this year by “keeping the shores clean.”
In a statement, CitySavings said it will integrate a “sustainability-driven approach” in its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives with several green-related programs in 2024. These include coastal clean-up drives as well as mangrove and tree-planting activities “focused on the conservation of coastal and marine life and the fight against climate change.”
In 2023, CitySavings joined the International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) by American conservation group Ocean Conservancy, where it helped collect about 50 kilos of debris from the coastal areas of Lemery, Batangas, and Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
“Lemery, known for its thriving fishing grounds and coastal resorts, underwent a vital cleanup drive to eliminate waste threatening its vibrant ecosystem,” it said.
Simultaneously, in Pagadian City, the focus was on protecting the Dumanquillas Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (DBPLS), essential for preserving endemic flagship species like the rabbit fish or Kitong, it added.
CitySavings said the coastal clean-up initiatives brought together employees, volunteers, and local communities, fostering a collaborative spirit to eliminate waste and debris from critical coastal areas. Both programs represent a larger sustainability mindset that is pivotal in preserving the environment's natural beauty and ensuring its long-term health, it said.
Besides coastal clean-up activities, the thrift bank also focuses on forest conservation.
The bank said it has been implementing its home-grown tree-planting initiative called Project SustainabiliTree. It has two Project SustainabiliTree programs in Medellin, Cebu, and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte in 2023.
In collaboration with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and the 4th Marine Brigade, CitySavings also facilitated the planting of 1,000 mangrove trees in Medellin, and 500 Narra and Agoo trees in Pasuquin.
“Project SustainabiliTree stands as a visionary plan aimed at battling deforestation, amplifying carbon sequestration, and nurturing green spaces within communities,” said the bank.
Meanwhile, CitySavings said its sustainability initiatives align with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since the coastal clean-up efforts address SDG 14: Life Below Water, combating marine pollution, and promoting sustainable fisheries.
“These initiatives support SDG 15 (Life on Land) mitigating land-based pollution and preserving terrestrial ecosystems (while) Project SustainabiliTree contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) through carbon sequestration and local community resilience,” said the bank.