I’ve been using GCash for some time now and I’ve been loving the convenience it brings. But earlier this month, they unveiled a new in-app feature that makes me love being a GCash user more – the GCash GForest.

What is it? It’s a green feature in the GCash app that lets users plant virtual trees which also has a real life counterpart. GCash partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Forest Management Bureau, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) to help implement their tree planting initiatives.

Photo by Min An from Pexels

According to DENR, the Philippines is losing about 47,000 hectares of forest cover each year. We’re losing a lot of trees as the years have gone by. Still based on the government’s data, our country’s forest was comprised of 7.2 million hectares in 2003 but by 2010, that went down to 6.4 million hectares.

We’re losing our forest at an alarming rate! And as you know, the trees have a lot of function. Birds nest in their branches; other animals also take shelter in trees; it helps provide us with oxygen and most importantly, it’s our first defense against natural disasters such as landslide and flooding.

Discussions about the serious effects of climate change like the loss of forests has been widely talked about all over the globe. That’s why I’m glad I can somewhat contribute to helping save Earth through something I already use often.

How exactly? By earning green energy from using certain features of GCash like cash in, bill payments and bank transfer. You can also earn green energy by connecting your health app in GCash GForest. Since I do a lot of walking, I often earn from it. Once you’ve earned enough green energy, you can use this to virtually plant a tree at Ipo Watershed.

I started a couple of weeks back and so far, this is my contribution:

I have yet to earn a tree planting badge. Yakal, the first tree in Ipo Watersched, featured in the app requires 20,560g which means I still need to earn 16, 454g to be able to plant. Well I’m sure I’ll get there in no time at all since I’m always using GCash.

I know it’s a small thing but to quote a Milo commercial from my childhood, great things start from small beginnings.

Watch this video to find out more about GCash GForest:

And if you haven’t pledged to plant a tree just yet, I highly urge you to do so. It doesn’t hurt to do something good about using your GCash right?