OLONGAPO CITY, Zambales — Aboitiz Renewables Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), and the Olongapo Solar Power Plant planted 2,000 native tree seedlings in Barangay Sta. Rita as part of efforts to expand the village's green cover and support environmental conservation.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), nearly 70 volunteers planted narra, molave and dao seedlings, all native Philippine hardwood species.

Narra, the country's national tree, and molave are classified as threatened species in the wild, making each newly planted seedling a contribution to their conservation. As they mature, the trees are expected to provide shade, improve soil quality and serve as habitats for local wildlife.

The activity brought together volunteers from the Bureau of Fire Protection-Olongapo City, the Philippine National Police-Olongapo City, the Philippine Red Cross-Olongapo City Chapter, the City Agriculture Office and DENR-CENRO Olongapo City.

Representatives from the Unbound Foundation, the Samahang Pangkabuhayan ng mga Kababaihan ng Kalaklan (SPKK), the Farm First Association (FFA), New Cabataan, Upland Cell I and Sungrow also participated.

“Planting these 2,000 seedlings is one of our ways of giving back to the environment we share with the people of Brgy. Sta. Rita," said Leo D. Lungay, vice president and general manager for Solar and Wind Operations at Aboitiz Renewables.

“These native trees will outlive all of us who planted them today, and we are glad to grow them alongside the same community partners who show up for Olongapo again and again,” he added.

The tree-planting activity forms part of Aboitiz Renewables' ongoing environmental and community programs in its host communities in Olongapo City, where it operates the Olongapo Solar Power Plant as part of its expanding renewable energy portfolio.