San Juan, La Union — April 18, 2026

Under the summer sun of La Union, participants from the Philippine Stock Exchange and Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corporation and Subsidiaries Group gathered in the coastal village of Taboc, San Juan for a meaningful day of environmental immersion through ECOSURF—an initiative of Fostering Education and Environment for Development, Inc. (FEED). The activity brought together employees, local partners, fisherfolk, surf coaches, and environmental advocates in a shared mission to reconnect with nature while taking action to help protect it.

Set against the vibrant coastline of Urbiztondo Beach, the day blended environmental education, hands-on conservation work, recreation, and cultural exchange. Through activities such as beach clean-up, mangrove planting, and coral reef awareness, participants experienced firsthand how communities and ecosystems are deeply interconnected—from the mountains down to the sea.

The immersion began at Urbiz Garden, one of FEED’s longtime eco-conscious partners. Anne Marie Bakker, FEED’s Program Lead, welcomed the participants and introduced the organization’s “Ridge to Reef” framework—an integrated environmental approach that recognizes the connection between upland forests, agricultural zones, lowland communities, rivers, and coastal ecosystems.

The Ridge to Reef Program promotes sustainable practices that protect biodiversity, reduce pollution, strengthen climate resilience, and support the long-term well-being of both communities and natural environments. At the center of this initiative is ECOSURF, a program that combines ecological stewardship with surf culture and coastal education. Through immersive activities such as coral restoration, mangrove reforestation, and sustainable tourism engagement, ECOSURF encourages people to build a deeper relationship with marine and coastal ecosystems.

One of the highlights of the immersion was coral planting along the waters of San Juan. Summer season offers calmer seas, making it an ideal period for coral propagation efforts. FEED currently houses its coral nursery in the area while continuing its nursery discovery project, where nearby coastlines are being assessed and monitored as potential future nursery sites.

With guidance from the coaches of Jongky Surf School—composed of trained freedivers, coral propagators, and surf instructors—participants were given the opportunity to plant corals that may one day grow into thriving reef ecosystems beneath the waters of Urbiztondo Beach.

The activity underscored the vital role coral reefs play in sustaining marine biodiversity and coastal communities. Coral reefs serve as nurseries for countless marine species, support fisheries and food security, protect shorelines from erosion and storm surges, and contribute to the livelihoods of coastal residents. Their preservation is increasingly urgent amid rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and habitat degradation.

Throughout the day, the message of interconnectedness remained at the heart of every activity. From ridge to reef, from forests to mangroves, from marine ecosystems to human communities—each part of nature relies on another to survive and thrive. Biodiversity exists as a delicate web, where the loss of one species or habitat can create ripple effects across entire ecosystems.

Protecting marine habitats does more than preserve underwater beauty. Healthy oceans regulate climate, sustain food chains, support local economies, and ensure future generations can continue to benefit from nature’s resources. In a time marked by climate instability and environmental decline, collaboration between communities, organizations, and ecosystems has become more important than ever.

Participants also rolled up their sleeves for a beach clean-up along the shores of Urbiztondo Beach. Plastic waste and marine debris were collected, sorted, and documented to help prevent pollution from reaching the ocean. Beyond maintaining cleaner coastlines, beach clean-ups play a critical role in protecting marine wildlife from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastics, while also fostering environmental responsibility within communities.

The group later proceeded to a mangrove planting activity with the assistance of local fisherfolk from the Asosasyon ti Mangalap ken Mannalon iti Baroro led by Manong Jessie Cabagbag together with the fisherfolks including the women of the community one them was manong Jessie’s wife, manang Bel.

Mangroves are among the most important coastal ecosystems, acting as natural barriers against storm surges and erosion while absorbing carbon dioxide and providing nursery grounds for fish and marine life. Their restoration contributes not only to biodiversity conservation but also to climate adaptation and community resilience.

To cap off the eco-adventure, participants gathered for a hearty packed lunch prepared by Charlen’s Kitchen, a homegrown restaurant known for celebrating local flavors and warm hospitality. Shared meals and conversations became another meaningful part of the experience, strengthening connections formed throughout the day.

The Philippine Stock Exchange continues to be a steadfast partner of FEED, supporting initiatives rooted in sustainability, education, and community engagement. Through collaborations like ECOSURF, FEED hopes to continue building a living legacy with its partners—one that protects ecosystems while empowering communities to become active stewards of the environment.

As the day’s activities were accomplished, this served as a reminder that caring for the Earth is a shared responsibility. Whether through planting corals, restoring mangroves, cleaning coastlines, or simply learning to appreciate the natural world more deeply, every action contributes to the greater movement toward environmental protection and resilience. While some participants also explored surfing lessons during their stay in La Union, these activities were arranged privately and were not part of the official company-sanctioned program.

To all the participants, partners, volunteers, and communities who made the immersion possible—thank you.Together, we nurture a future where communities and nature thrive in harmony.

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About The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)

The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) is a self-regulatory organization that provides and ensures a fair, efficient, transparent and orderly market for the buying and selling of securities. The Exchange also offers a convenient and efficient venue in raising capital to support the growth of businesses.

Considered one of the oldest bourses in Asia, the PSE traces its roots back to the country’s two former bourses – the Manila Stock Exchange (formed in 1927) and the Makati Stock Exchange (formed in 1963). The Manila and Makati bourses were unified on December 23, 1992 to form the PSE.

In 2018, the PSE moved its headquarters to Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. The fast paced environment in the Taguig business district is well-suited for the Exchange as it aims to fast track the introduction of new products and services to boost investor participation and liquidity in the Philippine stock market.

For more on PSE, visit: https://corporate.pse.com.ph