Zambales greening efforts gets boost from DENR, stakeholders

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Giga Ace 8, Inc., and the Forest Guardians of Palauig Association Inc. (FGPAI) are partnering to promote climate resilience and environmental stewardship in the forestlands of Palauig, Zambales.

According to Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Masinloc Officer Donaver Guevarra, this partnership was formalized during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that was revealed on 12 October 2026.

The said partnership will cover the adoption of 30 hectares of timber commodity under the National Greening Program (NGP) in Sitio Dampay, Barangay Salaza, Palauig.

Guevarra explained that under the agreement, the adopted area will be planted, protected, and maintained in support of Executive Order No. 193, series of 2015, which strengthens the implementation of the NGP to enhance forest cover and promote sustainable forest management.

“We will provide technical assistance to the Giga Ace 8, Inc., and FGPAI in the establishment, protection, and maintenance of the adopted area,” Guevarra added.

With the DENR providing technical guidance and the private sector and people’s organization supporting on-the-ground activities, the partnership brings together complementary resources and expertise for sustained greening efforts.

DENR Zambales head Marife Castillo highlighted the value of this multi-sector collaboration, saying it allows the government, private sector, and people’s organization to share their resources, expertise, and responsibilities in protecting and enhancing forest areas.

Through the 30-hectare forestland adoption, the partners aim to contribute to increased forest cover, protection of soil and water resources, and enhancement of the area’s ecological functions.

For his part, DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo expressed appreciation to the partners for supporting the region’s greening initiatives, emphasizing that sustained collaboration is key to advancing environmental stewardship.

“Partnerships among government, the private sector, and local communities can strengthen collective action toward climate resilience and responsible environmental management. Initiatives such as the forestland adoption also complement the DENR’s continuing efforts to engage communities, people’s organizations, and private-sector partners in greening, forest protection, and sustainable resource management,” Pablo said.

The executive director led the DENR delegation during the MOA signing, together with Castillo, DENR Zambales Technical Services Division Chief Miguela Ramirez, Guevarra, and CENRO Masinloc NGP Focal Person Rowell A. Velasco.

Representing Giga Ace 8, Inc. were Vice President Roque Tordesillas, Assistant Vice President Sheryl Buena, Supervising Manager for External Affairs Patrick Adams San Juan, and Palauig Solar Project Manager Michael Jeffrey Arejola. FGPAI was represented by Chairman Luis Lontok and Secretary Eranio Mojica.