Photo by: DENR Central Luzon
PALAUIG, Zambales — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Giga Ace 8 Inc. and a local community organization have partnered to rehabilitate and protect 30 hectares of forestland in Palauig, Zambales, in a move aimed at strengthening forest cover and promoting climate resilience.
The partnership covers the adoption of a 30-hectare timber commodity area under the National Greening Program (NGP) in Sitio Dampay, Barangay Salaza, Palauig.
The agreement brings together government, private-sector and community stakeholders to support forest rehabilitation, protection and maintenance, reinforcing efforts to sustain environmental resources in the province.
DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Masinloc officer Donaver Guevarra said the agency would provide technical assistance to guide the implementation of the forestland adoption project, including activities for establishing, maintaining and protecting the area.
Photo by: DENR Central Luzon
DENR Zambales head Marife Castillo underscored the importance of cooperation among different sectors in carrying out environmental programs and ensuring the long-term protection of forest resources.
DENR Central Luzon Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo thanked the project partners, noting that collective action is essential to advancing environmental protection and climate resilience.
“Partnerships among government, the private sector, and local communities can strengthen collective action toward climate resilience and responsible environmental management,” Pablo said.
The initiative supports the implementation of Executive Order No. 193, series of 2015, which strengthened the National Greening Program as part of the government’s broader forest rehabilitation and restoration efforts.
Giga Ace 8 was represented by 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.
The local community organization, FGPAI, was represented by Chairman Luis Lontok and Secretary Eranio Mojica.
Pablo led the DENR delegation, which included Castillo, Technical Services Division Chief Miguela Ramirez, Guevarra and CENRO Masinloc NGP focal person Rowell A. Velasco.
The 30-hectare adoption project highlights the role of private-sector participation and community engagement in supporting government-led forest rehabilitation and sustainable environmental management in Zambales.