Promoting coastal resilience and biodiversity restoration, employees and management of Digido Finance Corp. (DFC), operator of multi-awarded fintech platforms Digido and UnaCash, planted 1,161 mangroves during its latest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activity in Bataan.
Collaborating with Nature Awareness and Conservation Club, Inc., over 30 volunteers from DFC took part in the activity in Barangay Camachile, Orion, planting seedlings and propagules from the bakauan-lalaki (Rhizophora apiculata), bakauan-babae (Rhizophora mucronata), Bungalon (Avicennia marina) and Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba) species.
The mangrove area in Barangay Camachile serves as the primary source of livelihood for Samahan Ugnayan sa Pangisdaan ng Orion, Bataan (SUGPO), a municipal-wide association of village-level fishers organizations.
Dragonpay and Macrokiosk were among the company’s trusted partners that supported the event through various contributions. Before the event, DFC also mobilized creative, in-house fundraising efforts to add more mangroves for planting.
Various environmental groups cite the importance of mangroves as they contribute to disaster risk reduction, such as the mitigation of flooding, lessening of storm surges, and the protection of coastal communities. Multiple studies also cite mangrove forests’ capacity to store carbon, making them an effective solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change.
Commenting on the initiative, Digido Finance Corp. head of human resources and administration Diane Tinoko said: “When there was an opportunity to create further awareness about the importance of mangrove rehabilitation and restoration, the company immediately decided to conduct this project. We recognize how nature-based solutions such as this one are important for the Philippines to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events and are thankful to our staff and trusted partners for having the same drive to make our communities more sustainable.”
The event is part of the company’s series of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities, aimed to enhance the well-being of communities and promote sustainability.