Ayala, DENR join forces for greening

The Ayala Group has joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in its goal of ensuring the growth and survival of five million trees by 2028, part of efforts to help Philippine forests thrive again.

In a signing ceremony on 31 July, Ayala Corp, ACEN, Ayala Land Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands and Globe Telecom Inc. committed to supporting the DENR’s Forests for Life initiative through land allocation, tree planting and maintenance activities.

“It is only through collaborating with government and similar-minded peers in the private sector that we can truly create a natural environment that every Filipino deserves. May this partnership be a template of many more meaningful engagements with the DENR to advance the welfare of the environment and promote the responsible use of our natural resources,” Ayala Corp. vice chairperson Fernando Zobel de Ayala said.

Launched in March 2025, the Forests for Life initiative aims to revive the country’s forest cover, restore biodiversity, improve water resources, reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere, and help mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Philippines currently has only 24 percent of forest cover remaining following centuries of denudation, said Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla.

Private sector help

To revive deforested areas, the DENR is enlisting the help of private sector partners to plant and ensure the survival of five million trees over the next three years.

“The DENR’s partnership with the Ayala Group of Companies is a powerful affirmation that sustainable development is a shared responsibility,” Lotilla said.

“Through the Forests for Life: 5 Million Trees by 2028 Program, we are combining science and community stewardship to restore critical ecosystems and secure our future. Together, we are not just planting trees — we are investing in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive growth for generations to come,” he said.