Climate Stakeholders forge partnership, launch Carbon recoveries awards
A FEW saplings are seen at a nursery inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. With more and more companies located inside the Freeport planning to celebrate Arbor Day this June by planting trees as part of their CSR, the number of saplings are getting fewer and fewer, a great indicator that the private sector is now focusing on environmental protection and forest reservation.
Photo by Jonas Reyes for DAILY TRIBUNE
Leaders from government, academia, and the private sector have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation on urban greening, carbon recovery, and sustainability, in support of the National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050 and the country’s Net Zero 2050 goal.
The signing ceremony, held at Rizal Technological University, was led by Climate Change Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz, who commended the joint effort of 11 partner institutions, including the Million Trees Foundation Inc. (MTFI), Bulacan State University, EcoSaver Mutual Fund, Saakuru Labs, Bauertek Pharmaceutical Technologies, Alcom Carbon Markets Philippines, PEDECO, Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig, Imelda Papin Foundation, Omtse Ventures, and the Rotary Club of Makati Business District.
“This partnership shows what can happen when government, academia, and communities come together for climate action,” said Commissioner Dela Cruz. “It’s collaboration in action — a living example of resilience and hope.”
MTFI President and Executive Director Melandrew T. Velasco highlighted the importance of concrete results, noting that since the Annual Million Trees Challenge started in 2017, more than 10.3 million trees have been planted across seven key watersheds supplying water to Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, and Cavite.
Velasco also proposed the establishment of the Carbon Recoveries Awards, a joint initiative of the Climate Change Commission and Million Trees Foundation, to honor organizations and individuals leading efforts in reforestation, carbon sequestration, and sustainability.
“These awards represent a commitment to a carbon-recovered Philippines — one that restores what it consumes and gives back more than it takes,” Velasco said.