Going Beyond Business

YGC CSI takes pride in its programs that strengthen communities, preserve the environment, and protect the welfare of the Filipino.

Protecting More Than Finances.


The Earth Care Project

A sustainability initiative that puts community, environment, and collaboration at the forefront of our work.


Plaza Yuchengco

An urban green oasis designed for people, community, and nature in the City of Manila.


Buhay Rizal

A nationwide program honoring the values, life, and legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal.

Earth Care

The objectives of the YGC Earth Care Project are clear—to contribute in reforestation and watershed
protection. This will not only protect the endemic species of the forest, but also benefit the well-being of our fellow Filipinos.

Plaza Yuchengco

The Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) has always been dedicated to projects that uplift communities
and enhance the urban landscape.

Buhay Rizal

The high regard that the powerful Yuchengco family has on Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal is undeniable. Two of the family’s principal business interests were branded based on the hero’s esteemed name.

01Earth Care Project A sustainability initiative that combines corporate action, community collaboration, and environmental consciousness.

The YGC Centennial Forest

The YGC Centennial Reforestation Project celebrates YGC’s 100th year by nurturing 100 hectares of land in and around Mt. Bangkaan in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range by planting 50,000 native and fruit-bearing trees. This protects critical watersheds that serve Metro Manila, while also creating livelihood opportunities for the Indigenous Peoples in the area through sustainable harvesting.

The YGC Earth Care Mountaineers in partnership with the local, indigenous communities have continued to protect the area through regular inspections, maintenance work, and fire prevention efforts.

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Plaza Yuchengco

Inaugurated in 2022 to support the City of Manila’s beautification program, the Yuchengco Group of Companies created Plaza Yuchengco – a stretch of riverside along Muelle del Banco Nacional transformed into a 285-meter linear park.

Plaza Yuchengco brings color and life back to Binondo through thoughtfully-designed, people-friendly spaces. The park has native trees like Siar, Balitbitan, Molave, Banaba, Botong, Champaca, and Alibangbang that bloom year-round. While providing shade to benches and tiled paths, it also invites residents to relax, connect, and take part in a city that fosters community and care for a greener Manila.

Buhay Rizal

In partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, YGC led the charge to revive the life and legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal through a dynamic mix of monument restoration, multimedia advocacy, and values-centered education. With the support of local government and civic groups, we revitalized 12 Rizal monuments and installed value-themed visuals across the country. And with National Artist Virgilio S. Almario, we brought his Filipino translation of Noli Me Tangere to 38 public schools—including Quezon City High School, Davao City National High School, Calamba National High School, and Binan National High School—through innovative employee- and customer-funded programs.

 

The Buhay Rizal Campaign, launched by the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) in October 2008, is a values promotion program centered on the life and principles of the National Hero. YGC Chairperson Helen Dee believes that Dr. Rizal’s teachings remain highly relevant, particularly the way he “did ordinary things extraordinarily well”. The initiative reflects YGC’s commitment to promoting Filipino values and cultural awareness through three core components: monument restoration, multimedia advocacy, and book donation.

The YGC Centennial Forest

The YGC Centennial Reforestation Project celebrates YGC’s 100th year through nurturing 100 hectares of land in and around Mt. Bangkaan in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Here, the group planted 50,000 native and fruit-bearing trees, protecting critical watersheds that serve Metro Manila, while also creating livelihood opportunities for the Indigenous Peoples in the area. The YGC Earth Care Mountaineers, in partnership with the local indigenous communities, have continued to protect the area through regular inspections, maintenance work, and fire prevention efforts.

The YGC Centennial Forest: A Blueprint for Change

The project’s ambitious goal is to plant 50,000 native trees across 100 hectares on Mt. Bangkaan, located in Barangay San Andres, Tanay, Rizal. This site was strategically chosen in the Sierra Madre mountain range for several critical reasons:

  • Ecological Importance: The Sierra Madre is the Philippines’ longest mountain range, serving as a natural barrier against typhoons and containing 68 protected areas.
  • Watershed Protection: It encompasses watersheds that supply water for agriculture and urban centers, including Metro Manila.
  • Accessibility: Located just a 2.5-hour drive from Makati, the site is accessible for employee volunteers.
  • Community Partnership: The area allowed for a 100-hectare land allocation and close coordination with local barangays and Indigenous communities.

Synergy in Action: Our Key Partners

The success of the Earth Care Project is built on a foundation of strong partnerships:

  • The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR): The DENR entrusted YGC with the 100-hectare site and provides continuous expertise in forest management.

 

  • The Indigenous Peoples (IP) of Mt. Bangkaan: The land is the ancestral domain of the Dumagats and Remontados. YGC works directly with the community-based organization Samahan ng mga Magsasaka ng San Andres Inc (SAMASAI), whose members have faithfully nurtured and protected the trees as their own.

 

  • The YGC Earth Care Mountaineers: This “Green Army” is composed of selfless employee volunteers from various YGC member companies who dedicate their time and energy to the cause, from planting saplings to conducting site inspections.

From Saplings to Sanctuary: The Journey So Far

The project was implemented in distinct phases, each targeting a different part of Mt. Bangkaan:

  • Phase 1 (October 2011): The first 10,000 saplings were planted in the middle part of the mountain.

  • Phase 2 (September 2012): Another 10,000 trees were planted on the mountain’s summit and cliffs, a challenging terrain chosen to help prevent future landslides and soil erosion.

  • Phase 3 (August 2015): A further 10,000 trees, primarily resilient Narra saplings, were planted on the lower plateau.

To ensure the forest thrives, a formal maintenance agreement was signed with partner IP communities. They conduct regular strip clearing, fertilizing, and firebreak maintenance to guarantee a survival rate of at least 80% for the planted trees. In return, YGC provides financial assistance for their efforts.

As of October 2021, the project has successfully managed 23,000 trees covering 58 hectares, with the oldest trees now standing 20 to 28 feet high—a living testament to a decade of commitment.

A Forest Reborn: The Impact on Biodiversity

Once made bare, Mt. Bangkaan is now teeming with life. The renewed forest cover has led to the return of endemic mammals and birds to their natural habitat. Sightings now include the:

  • Philippine Palm Civet (musang)
  • Yellow-vented Bulbul (luklak)
  • Red-crested Malkoha
  • Jungle Fowl (Labuyo)
  • Common Sun Skink (bubuli)

This revival of the ecosystem fuels YGC’s resolve to continue nurturing the Centennial Forest, a cradle of life that contributes to the nation’s overall growth and helps build a greener world for future generations.

Experience Plaza Yuchengco: A Green Sanctuary by the Pasig River

The Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) continues to uphold its commitment to uplifting communities and enhancing urban spaces, and as part of this commitment, YGC established Plaza Yuchengco, a 285-meter linear park along Muelle Banco del Nacional in Binondo, Manila.

Constructed in June 2022, Plaza Yuchengco is YGC’s contribution to the City of Manila’s beautification and revitalization efforts, transforming a once-ordinary riverside space into a welcoming green area. Designed to offer a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, Plaza Yuchengco features 21 native Philippine trees, including Siar, Balitbitan, Molave, Banaba, Botong, Champaca, and Alibangbang—carefully selected to ensure the park is adorned with blossoms all year round. Complementing the trees are tiled pavements and thoughtfully arranged ornamental plants that aim to create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere along the river.

Beyond being a green landmark, Plaza Yuchengco has become a center of community activity and celebration. During Christmas 2024, YGC hosted a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, illuminating the park with festive lights and choral performances that filled the air with holiday cheer. The event brought together barangay officials, residents, and visitors in a joyful celebration of togetherness.

The spirit and tradition of celebration continued into Chinese New Year 2025, when Plaza Yuchengco came alive with an hour-long dragon dance performance, accompanied by snack giveaways and colorful displays that delighted guests and symbolized prosperity for the year ahead.

Relive the vibrancy of these celebrations through the highlights of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Chinese New Year Dragon Dance found on Plaza Yuchengco’s Facebook page.

Preserving Landmarks of National Pride

At the campaign’s core is the commitment to restore Rizal monuments across the Philippines. As of 2016, YGC has successfully restored 12 monuments in partnership with local governments. Some notable restorations include:

  • Baguio City (2008): Enhancements to Rizal Park were sponsored by RCBC and formally turned over by its then President, Lorenzo V. Tan, to then Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr.
  • Davao City (2009): The monument’s revitalization was sponsored by Malayan Insurance Corporation, with its then President, Yvonne S. Yuchengco, leading the turnover to then Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
  • Puerto Princesa City (2013): The renovation was sponsored by RCBC, with the turnover led by then President Lorenzo V. Tan to then Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn.

Other monuments restored can be found in Iloilo, Batangas, Bacolod, Binan, Calamba, Tagbilaran, General Santos, Tarlac, and Lapu-lapu.

Bringing Values to Public Life

The project also campaigns a widespread multimedia advocacy effort, supported by the Department of Education and the Knights of Rizal. The campaign promotes six core values exemplified by Rizal: a life of honor and integrity, a passion to excel, the achievement of dreams, respect for parents, use of God-given talents, and pride in the Filipino race. These values were promoted through digital and print media across the country, all centered on the challenge: “Nagawa ni Rizal noon, magagawa mo ba ngayon?” (What Rizal achieved then—can you do today?).

Spreading Rizal’s Voice to the Next Generation

Furthering support for the Filipino youth, YGC partnered with Mr. Virgilio S. Almario, National Artist for Literature, to launch a book donation and values formation program. Through this initiative, YGC has donated over 50,000 copies of Noli Me Tangere to 38 partner schools, public libraries, and DepEd library hubs by 2016. A unique aspect of this program is its participatory fund, allowing YGC employees and customers to convert leave credits and reward points into book donations for the beneficiary schools.

Binan National High School

Baguio City National High School

Davao City National High School

Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School

In partnership with the following schools:

  • Mariano Marcos Memorial High School
  • Eulogio Rodriguez Vocational High School
  • Manuel A. Roxas High School
  • Victorino Mapa High School
  • Polytechnic University of the Philippines High School
  • Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. High School
  • Sergio Osmena High School
  • Don Alejandro Roces, Sr. Science and Technology High School
  • Culiat High School
  • Quezon City High School
  • Ramon Magsaysay High School
  • Jose P. Laurel, Sr. High School
  • Batasan Hills National High School
  • New Era High School
  • Neptali Gonzales High School
  • Mandaluyong High School
  • Concepcion Integrated High School
  • Caloocan High School
  • Las Pinas CAA National High School
  • Ricardo G. Papa, Sr. Memorial High School
  • Pasay City South National High School
  • San Juan National High School
  • Muntilupa National High School
  • Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo High School
  • Baguio City National High School
  • Calamba National High School
  • Nagpayong National High School
  • Don Quintin Paredes High School
  • Binan National High School
  • Batangas Nationa High School
  • Davao City National High School
  • Bacolod National High School
  • Cecilio Putong National High School
  • Iloilo City National High School
  • Palawan National High School