The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging greater private sector involvement in national forest rehabilitation efforts, highlighting opportunities in carbon credit generation and climate resilience building.
Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla emphasized that forests serve as both ecological and economic assets, particularly with the potential for carbon credit earnings under sustainable forest management. “We need not just be producers of carbon credits—we can become a global hub,” Lotilla said during the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ayala Group of Companies.
The partnership, part of the “Forests for Life: 5 Million Trees by 2028” initiative, aims to plant and ensure the survival of five million native trees across critical watersheds in Ilocos Norte, Bataan, Rizal, Leyte, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Norte over three years.
Under the MOU, private partners are tasked with implementing site preparation, seedling production, tree planting, and long-term plantation maintenance. Additional contributions may include community engagement and education campaigns. In turn, the DENR will provide technical, regulatory, and monitoring support, while maintaining transparency through a public registry of partners.
Participation offers private entities benefits such as sustainability certifications, possible tax incentives, and public recognition. Beyond economic gains, the DENR stressed that the initiative will help restore vital ecosystems and support the country’s climate action commitments.
