The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officially launched its “Forests For Life: 5M Trees by 2028” initiative on Friday, reinforcing its commitment to climate resilience and sustainable forest management.

Through this reforestation program, the DENR aims to plant five million trees across key provinces, contributing to the sequestration of 3.5 million tons of carbon by 2038.

During the launch, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga emphasized the "critical role of targeted and aggressive reforestation" in addressing the impacts of climate change, particularly in flood-prone and watershed areas. She highlighted the initiative’s multiple benefits, including enhanced biodiversity, improved water resources, reduced soil erosion, and strengthened community livelihoods.

“The restoration of our forests is an urgent climate action strategy. Enhancing reforestation in priority areas will secure water supply and fortify the country’s defenses against flooding and landslides,” Loyzaga said.

“This initiative also complements our ongoing efforts to expand mangrove forests and coastal greenbelts, which serve as natural barriers against storm surges and coastal erosion,” she added.

The pilot sites for the Forests For Life initiative include the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Leyte, Bataan, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.

The program will kick off in 2025 with site preparation, partner mobilization, seedling production and plantation establishment.