The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has formalized a major multi-sector partnership to restore 30 hectares of degraded forestland in Limay, Bataan, marking a significant boost to regional forest rehabilitation efforts.
The five-year initiative, officially launched as the Puno ng Buhay–Limay Reforestation Project, unites government, private sector, and community stakeholders. The agreement brings together the DENR, the Provincial Government of Bataan, the Municipality of Limay, Petron Foundation, Inc., and the Samahang Magsasaka sa Kagubatan Limay Bataan, Inc. (SAMASAKA).
The project targets the rehabilitation of denuded upland forest within Sitio Daing, Barangay Duale, an area within SAMASAKA’s Community-Based Forest Management zone. The collaboration aims to accelerate ecosystem recovery in a critical watershed while simultaneously creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local residents.
DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga emphasized the collaborative spirit driving the project. “What will make this project succeed is our shared commitment – national and local government, the private sector, and our people’s organizations – working together to deliver concrete results,” she stated.
The rehabilitation plan will employ a community-led approach, focusing on planting native and economically valuable species. These include fruit-bearing trees, bamboo, and timber species, strategically selected to enhance biodiversity, promote ecosystem resilience, and provide long-term benefits to the community.
Petron General Manager and Chairperson Lubin B. Nepomuceno highlighted the project’s broader environmental impact. “This watershed project will help improve groundwater recharge and benefit local communities. Though it covers 30 hectares, it reflects our long-term commitment to work with DENR and our partners in Bataan to sustain and expand this effort,” Nepomuceno said.
Anchored on the DENR’s mandate under Executive Order No. 192, the project directly supports the National Greening Program. Its objectives are threefold: rehabilitating denuded forestlands, protecting critical watersheds, and contributing to national climate action through enhanced forest restoration and carbon sequestration.
Upon completion of the five-year term, all rehabilitated areas and project improvements will be formally turned over to the DENR to ensure their sustained protection and management. The project underscores the department’s ongoing commitment to the conservation, protection, and sustainable management of the country’s forest resources for present and future generations.#
