On Save Sierra Madre Day, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) is reinforcing its partnership with GCash, the leading Philippine finance super app, through its GForest program, to address environmental threats like illegal forest conversion and accelerate the restoration of degraded lands within the Mount Makiling Georeserve and the Sierra Madre mountain range.

The joint partnership aims to protect and reforest 250 hectares of land within the two land grants managed by UPLB by planting at least 135,000 forest and fruit trees during the first phase, and an additional 25,000 seedlings for urban and roadside planting in parts of the Mount Makiling Georeserve by 2029.

UPLB, as the Center for Excellence in Forestry Education, implements its data-driven and science-based approach to identify suitable types of trees, strategic project areas, and apply implementation strategies to ensure environmental conservation and reforestation efforts translate into meaningful long-term impact. UPLB will spearhead the technical execution and oversight of reforestation progress. This ensures adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, to help GCash establish long-term targets and benchmarks for GForest reforestation initiatives.

The academic institution also seeks the help of local farming communities and their families as long-term partners in planting and stewardship, empowering them through livelihood opportunities. These include women’s groups, people’s organizations, and qualified UPLB community members.

UPLB also seeks to engage participation and support from relevant local government units (LGUs) in Laguna, municipalities in Quezon province, and national-level government agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DICT).

Marked by a ceremonial contract signing led by UPLB earlier this year, its College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), the Land Grant Management Office (LGMO), and GCash, through the support of its 25-million GForest Green Heroes, pledged to plant at least 135,000 forest and fruit trees across 250 hectares in two land grant areas managed by UPLB in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.

“Sierra Madre is one of our last frontiers when it comes to [our remaining] intact forests,” shared UPLB-CFNR Dean Marlo D. Mendoza, MDM. [This] is rich in terms of biodiversity [and is] very high in endemism, which means a lot of species that are in Sierra Madre can only be found there or [can be found in] the Philippines and not other parts of the world.”
Luzon’s backbone against natural hazards

The Sierra Madre mountain range, which spans approximately 600 kilometers from Cagayan to Quezon Province, is known as the “backbone of Luzon” and is home to lush forests and vital watersheds that support the nation’s diverse wildlife populations. In addition, it acts as a natural shield against typhoons coming from the Pacific, protecting the Philippines by weakening and redirecting storm winds before they reach inland areas.
The end goal of the UPLB and GCash reforestation initiative and partnership is to help restore and fortify parts of the UP Sierra Madre Land Grant. The trees planted aim to convert degraded lands (remnants of past logging, timber poaching, and unsustainable farming) into thriving ecosystems of tall native forest species that form a closed or semi-closed canopy.

Fundamental to the success of this program is UPLB’s sourcing process, which focuses on native tree species that are well-adapted to the local environment and support biodiversity. UPLB researchers have selected a diverse mix of native species, such as Mayapis, Apitong, White Lauan, Almon, and Palosapis, that can support canopy restoration while promoting ecological diversity. (PR)

QUEZON CITY – In response to the 8 September 2025 directive issued by Department of Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission ex-officio Chair Ralph G. Recto to roll out faster services to pensioners and members, the Social Security System (SSS) has officially launched the MySSS Card – designed to transform the way Filipino workers, pensioners, and their beneficiaries access their social security benefits and financial services.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph Montes De Claro stated that the MySSS Card fulfills two purposes. It acts as an official ID, replacing the long-standing Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) card. It also operates as a fully functional debit card linked to a savings account.

De Claro noted that the card is equipped with an EMV chip. It is integrated with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) eVerify and biometric authentication. This provides a safe and convenient way for members to access SSS benefits and loans, as well as manage their daily financial transactions.

It merges social security benefits with digital banking, offering members a comprehensive way to access benefits, loans, and pensions quickly and conveniently. The card can also be used for shopping, public transport fares, and online purchases, De Claro explained.

The card will be issued exclusively through SSS partner banks. Issuance will start with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and will later include other banks such as Asia United Bank (AUB), China Bank, and Union Bank of the Philippines.

De Claro said the MySSS Card will automatically serve as the main disbursement account for SSS members. “Once members apply for the MySSS Card, we will link their partner bank savings accounts to SSS for benefits, loans, and other proceeds. They no longer need to enroll the MySSS Card in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM).”

He stated that starting today, 1 October 2025, SSS will accept applications for the MySSS Card. RCBC, through its digital arm DiskarTech, will be the card’s first implementer.

“The SSS and RCBC partnership marks a significant milestone in the digital transformation of government services,” he continued. “The MySSS Card’s rollout will expand as more partner banks join the program. This will provide more options for card issuance and banking features.”

How to Apply for the MySSS Card

The MySSS Card is available to all SSS members, pensioners, individual claimants, beneficiaries, and representative payees who meet the following requirements: possess a permanent SS number; have an active account on the My.SSS Portal with updated personal details, including local address, mobile number, and email; and be registered with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) under the National ID system, previously known as the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

Members with old SSS, UMID, or previous ID cards may apply for the MySSS Card to replace lost or existing cards.

De Claro said the MySSS Card application is simple and can be completed via My.SSS. “Members choose their partner bank—initially RCBC—and consent to data sharing between SSS, the National ID system, and the bank.”

After online verification and identity confirmation, members open a bank account either using their online app or by visiting a branch. For RCBC, members use the DiskarTech app to open the account.

The partner bank will produce and distribute the cards. Metro Manila residents will receive their cards within 15 working days, while those outside Metro Manila will receive theirs within 20 working days.

He concluded that launching the MySSS Card is part of a larger government push. This initiative is led by Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission ex-officio Chair Recto, who has championed reforms within the SSS to enhance its service delivery.(PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – A late afternoon fire in Barangay Canlapwas, Catbalogan City, Samar on Tuesday, October 1, claimed the life of a provincial government employee and left more than 200 residents homeless, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.

The blaze, which started around 5:30 p.m. in Purok 3, was traced to faulty electrical wiring that ignited the roof of a house owned by Rizalda Magallanes. Built from light materials, the structure quickly burned down, with flames spreading to nearby residences, investigators said.

Firefighters from the Catbalogan City Fire Station, assisted by volunteers, police, and responding units from neighboring Paranas town, battled the fire for nearly four hours. Raised to second alarm, the fire was declared under control at 7:20 p.m. and fully extinguished by 9:23 p.m.

Authorities confirmed that Reynold Muñez, 30, an employee of the Samar provincial capitol, perished in the incident. He reportedly ran back inside their burning home, thinking his family was still trapped, unaware that they had already escaped. His body was retrieved after the fire was put out.

The BFP reported that 23 houses were completely gutted while three others sustained partial damage, displacing 50 families or about 208 individuals. Property losses were initially estimated at P2 million.

Affected families are temporarily housed at a local church and the barangay hall, while the city government, led by Mayor Dexter Uy, has extended relief assistance.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)