Foundever leads mangrove restoration to protect Philippines coasts
BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES — Business process outsourcing (BPO) firm Foundever announced a new mangrove reforestation initiative, directly addressing the severe threat that rising sea levels and coastal erosion pose to local communities and the province’s critical economic infrastructure.
Corporate responsibility rooted in environmental action
Foundever Philippines demonstrates that modern corporate responsibility extends beyond profit into direct environmental action.
The company organized 63 of its associates in an experiential program at Lagadlarin Mangrove Forest in Lobo, Batangas, Philippines. This was to plant 100 new mangrove seedlings and carry out a major clean-up of the coastal environment.
“By helping restore this mangrove forest, we are not just planting trees; we are helping safeguard the ecological future of the community,” said Cholo Sunico, Director for People Experience and Culture at Foundever Philippines.
“Mangroves protect coastlines from storm surges, serve as nurseries for fish, and support the livelihoods of the fisherfolk who call this place home. It’s a shared responsibility we proudly embrace.”
The partnership with the local fishing group, Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Pangangalaga ng Kalikasan sa Barangay Lagadlarin (SMMPKBL) Inc., aims to protect the environment while also promoting corporate values.
The project also coincides with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
Foundever’s partnership to combat climate change
Restoring such ecosystems is presented as both a scientific and moral imperative, directly reducing carbon emissions and supporting marine biodiversity.
“Partnerships like this show how business and community can come together to create long-term, meaningful impact,” said John Henry Valencia, Director for Human Resources Business Partners at Foundever Philippines.
“Our associates are proud to serve not just our clients, but also the land and people in the communities where we operate.”
The project demonstrates that the conservation of such natural infrastructures is similar to the preservation of the ecological and economic future of the coastal zones on which they are anchored.
Mangrove initiative highlights CSR impact
Foundever’s mangrove project is a prime example of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that the Outsource Accelerator’s Outsourcing Impact Review (OIR) 2025 seeks to highlight.
The Foundever program exemplifies the sector’s potential for creating meaningful environmental and community impact, aligning with the OIR’s core mission.
This review by Outsource Accelerator, now in its third year, aims to redefine perceptions of the outsourcing industry by recognizing companies that drive significant positive change.
The nomination period for this year’s OIR 2025 ran from May 30 to August 31, 2025, with finalists set to be announced this month.Foundever also ranked #49 in the OA500 2025, an objective index of the world’s top 500 outsourcing companies.
