Camille Naredo

Workers from government offices participate in a simultaneous bamboo and tree planting activity on the grounds of a former landfill area in Pitong Bukawe in San Mateo, Rizal on September 13, 2022 on the occasion of International Tree Planting Day. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Workers from government offices participate in a simultaneous bamboo and tree planting activity on the grounds of a former landfill area in Pitong Bukawe in San MAteo Rizasl on September 13, 2022 on the occasion of International Tree Planting Day. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

TREE-PLANTING

Carlos Trazo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176538372918520220913-marcos-birthday-tree-planting-JC-3956 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Workers from government offices participate in a simultaneous bamboo and tree planting activity on the grounds of a former landfill area in Pitong Bukawe in San Mateo, Rizal on September 13, 2022 on the occasion of International Tree Planting Day. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Workers from government offices participate in a simultaneous bamboo and tree planting activity on the grounds of a former landfill area in Pitong Bukawe in San Mateo, Rizal on September 13, 2022 on the occasion of International Tree Planting Day. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla on Wednesday highlighted the Philippines’ progress in forest recovery, citing recognition from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the country’s increase in forest cover.</p><p>Lotilla noted that between 2015 and 2020, the FAO pointed to the Philippines as an example of how forest landscapes can recover when watershed protection is prioritized. He said this aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen critical watersheds as natural defenses against climate impacts.</p><p>From 2022 to September 2025, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) planted 62 million seedlings across 99,000 hectares, focusing on water-stressed areas and critical watersheds. The effort also generated more than 760,000 jobs for local communities.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/10/denr-to-plant-3m-trees-in-marikina-watershed-in-3-years-1513"><strong>DENR to plant 3 million trees in Marikina River Basin in 3 years</strong></a></div><p>Recent DENR data confirmed a net forest gain of 53,952 hectares in Luzon, or 1.33 percent, since 2020. </p><p>“These are net gains. While we are losing trees, we are reforesting faster,” Lotilla said, stressing that the Philippines is showing the global community that forest recovery is possible.</p><p>He also pointed to the “Forests for Life” campaign, which initially aimed for five million trees by 2028 but has already attracted pledges from the private sector that will exceed 10 million trees. </p><p>Enforcement has likewise been strengthened, with more than 2,000 forest ranger positions filled. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/12/10/anti-flood-measures-in-manila-las-pi-as-inspected-1706"><strong>Anti-flood measures in Manila, Las Piñas inspected</strong></a></div>

<p>Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla highlighted the Philippines’ progress in forest recovery, citing recognition from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the country’s increase in forest cover.</p>

Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla highlighted the Philippines’ progress in forest recovery, citing recognition from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the country’s increase in forest cover.

PH gains ground in reforestation progress since 2020 -- DENR

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PH gains ground in reforestation progress since 2020 -- DENR

Carlos Trazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 11, 2025 12:23 AM PHT

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DENR

reforestation

FAO

Forests for Life

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Food and Agriculture Organization

United Nations

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