The Department of Environment and Natural Resources signs a Memorandum of Agreement with AP Renewable Energy Corporation and the Gala Aeta Kulihig Association Inc. to strengthen reforestation and forest protection efforts in Zambales. (DENR)
IBA, Zambales (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has partnered with AP Renewable Energy Corporation (APREC) and the Gala Aeta Kulihig Association Inc. (GAKAI) to strengthen forest rehabilitation and protection efforts in Zambales.
The three parties recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement to restore, maintain, and protect over 74 hectares of forestland in the towns of San Marcelino and Subic over a five-year period.
Under the agreement, DENR, APREC, and GAKAI will jointly carry out activities such as seedling production, tree planting, plantation maintenance, and site protection to help improve forest cover and rehabilitate the adopted areas.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the partnership reflects the importance of collaboration in advancing sustainable forest management and environmental protection.
He emphasized that the agreement shows how the government, private sector, and local communities can work together to carry out long-term and meaningful reforestation initiatives while promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources.
As the lead implementing agency, DENR will provide technical supervision and assistance to ensure the effective implementation of the project.
Its support will include survey and planning, monitoring, documentation, and capability-building activities.
For its part, APREC will finance the project, including rehabilitation, maintenance, protection, and community awareness initiatives throughout the five-year implementation period.
Meanwhile, GAKAI, a community-based people’s organization, will take the lead in on-the-ground activities such as nursery establishment, seedling production, planting, maintenance, and protection of the project sites in close coordination with DENR and APREC.
DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Zambales chief Marife Castillo said the project will plant fruit-bearing trees, bamboo, and timber species, with preference given to native species to help enrich existing vegetation and support long-term forest recovery.
“Protecting and rehabilitating our forestlands requires not only resources, but also strong partnerships and shared accountability. Through this agreement, we are helping ensure that reforestation efforts are sustained and that local communities remain active partners in caring for our natural resources,” Castillo said.
The initiative supports the national government’s Enhanced National Greening Program, which aims to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation through reforestation and sustainable forest management. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Zambales)
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