THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Masinloc, strengthened forest restoration efforts in Zambales by planting nearly 1,000 native tree seedlings to help rehabilitate degraded forest areas, enhance biodiversity, and improve the resilience of local ecosystems against the impacts of climate change.
The tree-growing activity was conducted within a National Greening Program (NGP) site established in 2012, where native forest tree species, including akle, kupang, lanete, and Mindoro pine, were planted to enrich existing forest plantations.
CENRO Masinloc Head Donaver Guevarra said the seedlings were produced at the DENR Masinloc Forest Nursery as part of the office’s annual production target of 15,000 seedlings for 2026, which ensures a steady supply of quality planting materials for forest rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation initiatives across the province.
Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized that sustained tree-growing activities are essential in protecting and enhancing Zambales’ forest resources.
“Every native tree we plant contributes to healthier forests that provide clean water, protect biodiversity, store carbon, and strengthen communities against the impacts of climate change. Through these continuing restoration efforts, we are investing in the long-term sustainability of Zambales’ forestlands and the ecosystem services they provide,” Pablo said.
Zambales has over 160,000 hectares of forestland areas, making sustained rehabilitation and protection efforts vital to conserving biodiversity, safeguarding critical watersheds, and ensuring the continued delivery of ecological services that support both communities and local livelihoods. (Manny D. Balbin)
