A nationwide push to grow five million indigenous trees over the next four years is now underway, aiming to restore forest cover in six critical areas across the country. The “Forests For Life: 5M Trees by 2028” campaign goes beyond traditional tree-planting—this time, the focus is on ensuring survival and long-term environmental impact.
Launched in Makati City, the initiative zeroes in on areas in Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Leyte, Bataan, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Norte—landscapes identified as vulnerable to climate threats and ecological decline. Project leaders say these forests are key to reviving ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change through natural solutions like carbon capture and flood prevention.
Why Tree Survival Matters More Than Numbers
Instead of simply counting planted seedlings, the program is shifting toward a more impactful goal: growing healthy forests. Experts behind the initiative highlight that many past reforestation efforts failed due to a lack of maintenance and monitoring. This time, a three-year care period is built into the plan to ensure seedlings are nurtured until they can thrive on their own.
“Trees don’t just offer shade. They regulate water supply, reduce flood risks, and recharge our groundwater,” one official emphasized. A satellite-based system will also track tree growth and help avoid overlap in planting activities.
Investing in Forests, One Tree at a Time
Everyone is invited to take part through a P100-per-tree model, which covers the cost of planting, watering, fertilizing, and maintaining each seedling for three years. Contributors will have access to an online registry to track where their trees are planted, which species were used, and how they're growing.
Supporters say this model offers an easy, transparent way to help restore the country’s forests—one tree at a time. Whether through corporate sustainability programs or school partnerships, the call is clear: growing forests is a shared responsibility with lasting benefits.
