Manulife Philippines, the local arm of the leading international financial services provider Manulife, and nature conservation group Haribon Foundation have broadened their ongoing partnership, which now includes a mangrove restoration program in Infanta, Quezon Province. This follows a mangrove planting event and biodiversity discussions held on May 29 and 30, 2025, as part of Haribon’s ‘Forests for Life’ conservation campaign.

Manulife Philippines and Haribon Foundation announced the expansion of their collaboration, as part of Haribon’s ‘Forests for Life’ conservation campaign, emphasizing the importance of environmental protection and community resilience in addressing climate change challenges.

L-R: Harshal Shah (Manulife Asia Chief Marketing and Experience Design Officer); Rahul Hora (Manulife Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer); Sonali Verma (Manulife Philippines Chief Marketing Officer); Arlie Endonila (Haribon Foundation Chief Operating Officer)

As part of the expanded partnership, Manulife Philippines and Haribon Foundation aim to plant a total of 15,000 mangrove seedlings in conservation areas over the next three years, focusing on high-priority sites identified by Haribon’s foresters and local environmental authorities. These ecosystems are crucial for shoreline protection, marine habitats, and carbon sequestration.

Earlier this year, colleagues of Manulife Philippines prepared 1,000 native seedlings in Tanay, Rizal to be planted in KaliwaWatershed Reserve, which reinforces the protection of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Since the partnership was formed in 2022, over 21,250 native tree seedlings have been planted in 17 hectares of land across the Luzon provinces of Quezon, Rizal, and Zambales.

As part of the broadened partnership, Manulife Philippines and Haribon Foundation organize community tree-planting initiatives to promote reforestation and environmental awareness. Participants worked collaboratively to plant native tree species, contributing to forest restoration efforts and carbon sequestration programs in local communities.

The mangrove restoration program comes at a time of concerning environmental trends. The Philippines has seen a dramatic decline in mangrove forests, with a loss of approximately 140,000 hectares since 1920. The World Bank projects climate change could reduce the country’s GDP by up to 13.6 percent by 2040 according to their Philippines Country Climate and Development Report, which makes these conservation efforts increasingly vital.

“In the Philippines, coastal ecosystems are vital for both communities and the environment. Through our collaboration with Haribon Foundation’s Forests for Life movement, we are supporting the conservation and protection of vital mangrove area,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

“These mangrove restorations help shield coastal communities from storm surges while creating nurseries for fish, which support local fisherfolks and enable them to sustain their livelihood.”

“Environmental challenges require locally tailored solutions,” said Harshal Shah, Chief Marketing and Experience Design Officer, Manulife Asia. “We’re excited to be working with partners like the Haribon Foundation to implement practical solutions guided by local knowledge and needs. Through this expanded collaboration with the Haribon Foundation, we are advancing our Impact Agenda in the Philippines by driving inclusive economic opportunities and accelerating a sustainable future.”

Beyond environmental impacts, the initiative also focuses on community development. Participants visited HaribonFoundation’s community partners in different barangays, including groups focused on the sustainable production of cassava chips, coconut jam, and herbal teas, as well as the women’s empowerment organization KALIPI in Infanta.

“In areas where we’ve worked, women have established small businesses selling products, such as lemongrass tea and kaya jam using resources from the restored forests. As ecosystems recover, communities find new opportunities for their livelihood—helping drive inclusive economic opportunity,” shared Sonali Verma, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines.

Arlie Endonila, Chief Operating Officer, Haribon Foundation, emphasized this dual approach: “Our initiatives aim to strike a balance between environmental conservation and community well-being. We ensure that local communities can continue to benefit from their natural resources, such as fishery livelihoods, while protecting our critical ecosystems. This dual focus reinforces the idea that ecological and economic sustainability can align to create positive outcomes for both our people and the planet.”

“We thank the Manulife team for the continued partnership. This deepens our commitment to environmental sustainability and exemplifies the power of collaboration between the corporate sector, environmental organizations, and community-led actions. Together, we help to protect and preserve the planet we all share, while uplifting communities and improving lives,” added Endonila.

This partnership aligns to Manulife’s Impact Agenda. As climate impacts intensify, these targeted environmental investments demonstrate how financial institutions can help accelerate a sustainable future while delivering on their core promise of long-term security and financial protection for Filipinos.