LIMAY, BATAAN — A new coalition of government and private sector leaders has officially launched a five-year mission to breathe life back into 30 hectares of degraded upland forest in Bataan.
The formalization of the “Puno ng Buhay–Limay Reforestation Project” marks a significant step forward for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) rehabilitation efforts in Central Luzon. Located in Sitio Daing, Barangay Duale, the initiative aims to transform denuded landscapes into a thriving ecosystem through a community-led approach.
The project brings together an influential mix of stakeholders, including the DENR, the provincial government of Bataan, the municipality of Limay, Petron Foundation, Inc., and the local farmers’ group Samahang Magsasaka sa Kagubatan Limay Bataan, Inc. (SAMASAKA). By leveraging the strengths of each sector, the partnership seeks to accelerate ecosystem recovery and protect critical watersheds while simultaneously contributing to national carbon sequestration targets. Beyond environmental restoration, the initiative is designed to create a ripple effect of sustainable economic opportunities for the local members of SAMASAKA, ensuring that the community thrives alongside the growing forest.
“What will make this project succeed is our shared commitment,” said DENR Undersecretary Joselin Marcus Fragada. “National and local government, the private sector, and our people’s organizations are working together to deliver concrete results.”
The rehabilitation plan focuses on biodiversity and resilience. Rather than a monoculture approach, the project will see the planting of native timber species, bamboo, and fruit-bearing trees. This variety is intended to restore the soil’s health while providing a future harvest for the community.
Petron General Manager and Chairperson Lubin Nepomoceno emphasized the environmental necessity of the site, noting its role in the region’s water security.
“This watershed project will help improve groundwater recharge and benefit local communities,” Nepomoceno said. “Though it covers 30 hectares, it reflects our long-term commitment to work with DENR and our partners in Bataan to sustain and expand this effort.”
The project is rooted in the DENR’s National Greening Program and aligns with Executive Order No. 192. To ensure the trees survive long after the initial planting phase, the SAMASAKA farmers will take the lead in maintenance and protection.
Once the five-year project term concludes, the rehabilitated land and all improvements will be formally turned over to the DENR. This ensures that the restored forest remains under state protection, securing a greener legacy for the province of Bataan.