Open Access Manila, an AI-forward CX and KPO provider under the TDCX group, sent over 30 employee volunteers to the UP Laguna-Quezon Land Grant (LQLG) in Siniloan, Laguna, for its annual CSR program, “Plant It Forward.”
Open Access volunteers planted 480 native tree saplings, including bagtikan and malaruhat-puti, at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountain range.
The activity honored Save Sierra Madre Day on September 26, an observance established under Proclamation No. 413, signed on June 19, 2012, by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
This nearly 500-tree effort more than doubled the 200 saplings planted during the launch of the initiative in 2025.
“This is our second consecutive year, and we are making it an annual tradition,” said Vice President Joy Sebastian. “Beyond meeting our Board of Investment (BOI)-accredited target of 100 forest trees, we want to help employees hit their carbon-neutral targets.”
A University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) study found that working professionals need to plant 100-150 trees annually to offset their carbon footprint from daily commuting, home gadget use, energy consumption, waste production, and daily consumption.
Expanding Participation and Impact
The initiative began in May 2025 when Open Access Davao partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO). Volunteers planted 100 lauan seedlings in Barangay Eden, Davao City.
“Last year was about starting a commitment; this year is about strengthening it,” said Employee Engagement Manager Lubert Alvaran.
“Doubling our employee participation and the number of seedlings planted shows that when we give our people opportunities to come together for something meaningful beyond work, we strengthen not only our civic impact but also improve employee engagement and the sense of belonging within our organization.”
Protecting Local Ecosystems
Working once again with nonprofit Fostering Education & Environment for Development (FEED), volunteers planted native saplings beneath nurse trees under the guidance of foresters.
Nurse trees are established trees that create favorable growing conditions for young saplings by providing shade, reducing wind exposure, and helping retain soil moisture. Foresters also remove vines that can choke young trees and regularly monitor their progress. “We make sure that every tree you plant is monitored and taken care of,” a FEED forester said.
“Trees are one of the best legacies we can leave the next generation because one tree planted outlasts every other human life,” noted LQLG Director Rey Lorida.
“Beyond our lifespan, this tree will continue to keep water, provide clean air, and serve as food and shelter to wildlife. It is not as much about how many trees we plant, but being part of the solution.”
He emphasized that upland mountain health directly affects downstream community safety. “Deforested watersheds lose their capacity to retain water. This results in compacted topsoil, surface runoff, soil erosion, silting, and severe lowland flooding.”
Creating Sustainable Corporate Partnerships
Open Access’ continued investment in tree planting supports broader reforestation efforts in the Sierra Madre, a mountain range that plays a critical role in protecting watersheds that serve Metro Manila and nearby communities.
By returning to the site each year and planting native species, the company contributes to long-term forest restoration and carbon sequestration. The initiative also reflects a growing recognition that meaningful environmental impact comes from sustained participation, not one-time activities.
“Open Access’ CSR tree-planting activity is more than an initiative to help nurture our environment. It is a meaningful reminder that, just like a tree, a strong foundation keeps us grounded, helps us grow, and enables us to make a lasting impact,” said Client Solutions Director Ray Ermita.
“It reflects who we are as a company and why being rooted in purpose, people, and values makes Open Access a company of choice for global clients and top talent.”
Through this environmental commitment, Open Access continues to integrate environmental stewardship, sustainable operational practices, and community involvement.
About OPEN ACCESS
Open Access, a subsidiary of Singapore-based TDCX, is a multilingual outsourcing firm offering scalable multichannel business solutions. Headquartered in Makati, Philippines, with three strategically located delivery sites in Davao, Philippines; Taipei, Taiwan; and Las Vegas, Nevada, the company delivers AI-forward customer support, back office, and knowledge process management in over 30 languages.