SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) further strengthened its partnership various stakeholders to expand forest cover, restore degraded areas, and promote environmental sustainability in the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bataan.

On July 14, DENR personnel reinforced riverbank rehabilitation efforts in San Clemente, Tarlac through a collaborative tree-planting initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable waterways and supporting long-term watershed conservation.

Amalia Fajardo, head of the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Camiling, reported that a total of 186 planting materials were established along the riverbank, consisting of 166 bamboo propagules and 20 narra seedlings.

“The bamboo propagules were planted to reinforce riverbank stabilization efforts, while the narra seedlings will contribute to increasing native tree cover as part of the area’s continuing rehabilitation,” Fajardo explained.

In Pampanga, the DENR partnered with the Rotary Club of Pampanga for a planting activity at the Sta. Rita Eco Park on July 12, drawing more than 150 participants, including Rotary Club members, partner organizations, volunteers, and other stakeholders.

Under the collaboration, the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Pampanga provided 500 narra (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴) seedlings for the activity.

Personnel from the National Greening Program (NGP) of PENRO Pampanga also guided members of Rotary International District 3790 Cluster 4-A on proper tree planting techniques, site assessment, species selection, and appropriate planting methods to help ensure long-term seedlings survival.

Romel Santiago, In-Charge of PENRO Pampanga and Head of Technical Services Division, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the DENR and civic organizations in advancing environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.

In Bataan, the DENR distributed on July 10 a total of 13,372 seedlings to residents and stakeholders in Mariveles, Bagac, and Morong towns through the ‘Community PANTREE’ program of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Bagac.

CENRO Bagac Chief Brenda Clemente said the initiative encourages communities to take an active role in biodiversity conservation, food security, and sustainable livelihoods.

The seedlings included indigenous, fruit-bearing and economically valuable species such as 6,235 guyabano seedlings, 2,250 cashew seedlings, 1,392 langka seedlings, 1,240 molave seedlings, 1,090 narra seedlings, 1,015 duhat seedlings, and 150 coffee seedlings.

Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo underscored the broader significance of the initiative, emphasizing that environmental protection requires sustained public participation.

“The successful implementation of the PANTREE program underscores the importance of collective action in addressing climate change. This effort reaffirms that caring for the environment is a shared responsibility, and that resilient communities are built when we work together,” Pablo said. ▲