Zambales forestlands set for rehabilitation
SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES— More than 74 hectares of degraded forestlands in San Marcelino and Subic towns are set for rehabilitation under a new five-year partnership between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Gala Aeta Kulihig Association Inc. (Gakai), and AP Renewable Energy Corp. (Aprec).
The three parties signed a memorandum of agreement to restore, maintain, and protect the forests through joint efforts in seedling production, tree planting, plantation maintenance, and site protection, according to the DENR on Monday.
The initiative combines government oversight, private funding, and community action to revive forest cover, enrich biodiversity, and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
“Collaboration is key to sustainable forest management,” said DENR regional executive director Ralph Pablo.
Partnerships
He added: “This partnership shows how government, the private sector, and local communities can come together to implement meaningful and long-term reforestation initiatives while promoting responsible environmental stewardship.”
As lead implementing agency, the DENR will provide technical supervision, including planning, monitoring, documentation, and capacity-building support.
Aprec, on the other hand, will fund rehabilitation, maintenance, protection, and community awareness activities, while Gakai will coordinate nursery operations, seedling production, tree planting, and forest protection on the ground.
Marife Castillo, head of the DENR Zambales provincial office, said the project will prioritize planting fruit-bearing trees, bamboo, and native timber species to enhance existing vegetation and support long-term forest recovery.
“Rehabilitating our forests requires not just resources, but strong partnerships and shared accountability,” Castillo said.
She added: “Through this agreement, we are ensuring that reforestation efforts continue and that local communities remain active partners in caring for our natural resources.”
The project forms part of the government’s Enhanced National Greening Program, a nationwide initiative aimed at addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation through reforestation and sustainable forest management.
