Camille Naredo

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Darylle Sarmiento

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — French environmental solutions company aDryada, its Philippine partner Samar Bamboo Corporation, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 23 for the implementation of the Green Samar Project.The initiative aims to reforest and restore 120,000 hectares of degraded forestland within the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), the country’s largest terrestrial national park and home to the Philippines’ longest stretch of continuous old-growth forest.“It is something we would like to help in restoring, help the population, and provide a venue for better livelihood while stopping deforestation,” according to Pierre Forestier, Head of Investment and ESG of aDryada.The Green Samar Project is expected to deliver significant environmental benefits, including biodiversity restoration, improved forest conservation, and stronger protection of the park’s natural resources.Beyond environmental goals, the project also seeks to generate long-term social and economic benefits for local communities by creating jobs, improving livelihoods, supporting social infrastructure development, and promoting agricultural diversification.Residents will be engaged in conservation efforts such as forest patrolling and serving as forest guards. These livelihood opportunities are expected to discourage environmentally destructive practices, including illegal logging and kaingin, which have contributed to years of forest degradation.“When you provide them employment, they stop all those illegal activities. The program that we have now really focuses on community development and community support. Because without community support and forest protection, they will go back and destroy the forest,” said Ruben Picardo, President of Samar Bamboo Corp.The project will prioritize the planting of native and indigenous tree species that naturally thrive within the Samar Island ecosystem.“Native po o indigenous species po ang itatanim natin. So wala po tayong gagamitin na exotic species, wala po tayong gagamitin na hindi po natatagpuan doon sa Samar Island Natural Park,” said Atty. Ray Thomas F. Kabigting, Assistant Director of the DENR Forest Management Bureau.Under the agreement, the project will be implemented over 25 years.If the project achieves its intended objectives, the agreement may be renewed for another 25 years to further strengthen long-term conservation efforts.A key component of the Green Samar Project is its carbon credit mechanism, which aims to align environmental protection with economic development.“Carbon credit is the amount of carbon dioxide that you are able to absorb. For example, in a forest with no trees, it is not absorbing as much carbon dioxide as it could. But when you plant trees and reforest and rehabilitate the area, it will now be able to increase carbon sequestration capacity,” Kabigting said.He further explained: “Now, the difference between your baseline when the forest was barren and when you have planted trees and increased its carbon absorption is what we measure as carbon credits.”Through the carbon credit mechanism, project developers, the government, and surrounding communities stand to benefit financially while contributing to global climate mitigation efforts.Project proponents say the initiative demonstrates how conservation efforts can simultaneously protect natural resources, support local communities, and create sustainable economic opportunities for future generations.“This project is a real breakthrough, and it makes the Philippines a regional leader and maybe a worldwide leader for this kind of project. It’s a large-scale project,” said Matthieu Delouvrier, Head of International Development of aDryada.

French environmental solutions company aDryada, its Philippine partner Samar Bamboo Corporation, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 23 for the implementation of the Green Samar Project.

French environmental solutions company aDryada, its Philippine partner Samar Bamboo Corporation, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 23 for the implementation of the Green Samar Project.

Reforestation of Samar Island Natural Park moves forward with 'Green Samar Project'

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Reforestation of Samar Island Natural Park moves forward with 'Green Samar Project'

Darylle Sarmiento,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 23, 2026 10:22 PM PHT

Read More:

aDryada

Samar Island Natural Park

DENR

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

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