Photo by: DENR Central Luzon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Demonstrating that responsible mining extends beyond resource extraction, Shangfil Mining & Trading Corporation (SMTC) has committed to restoring and protecting an 82-hectare bamboo plantation in Sta. Cruz, Zambales through a five-year partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo and SMTC President Jaime Lazaro, reinforces the company’s commitment to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable environmental management.
Under the agreement, SMTC will finance the replanting, maintenance, and protection of the bamboo plantation in Barangay Guinabon, while the DENR will provide technical assistance, monitoring, and capacity-building to ensure the project’s long-term success.
The rehabilitation effort aims to achieve an 85-percent seedling survival rate by planting bamboo alongside native and fruit-bearing tree species. The restored plantation is expected to improve forest cover, enhance biodiversity, capture more carbon dioxide, and help mitigate the impacts of climate change in the area.
Photo by: DENR Central Luzon
DENR Masinloc Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Donaver Guevarra said the project builds on the existing bamboo plantation established in 2013 and seeks to transform it into a more resilient and sustainable forest ecosystem.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo welcomed the private sector’s investment in environmental protection, saying partnerships like this accelerate the government’s reforestation and climate resilience programs.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to restore degraded lands and strengthen climate resilience. By working with the private sector, we accelerate reforestation efforts towards a greener and healthier environment,” Pablo said.
The initiative supports the government’s Expanded National Greening Program under Executive Orders 26 and 193, which recognizes bamboo as a strategic resource for climate mitigation, watershed protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods.
Through the partnership, SMTC joins the growing number of private companies investing in nature-based solutions, demonstrating how environmental responsibility can complement business operations while contributing to the country’s long-term climate and sustainability goals. (DENR Central Luzon)