PALAUIG, Zambales — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has partnered with solar farm operator Giga Ace 8, Inc. and the Forest Guardians of Palauig Association Inc. (FGPAI) to reforest a 30-hectare area at Sitio Dampay, Barangay Salaza in this town.

Through a memorandum of agreement signed on October 12, Giga Ace 8 adopted 30 hectares of timber commodity under the National Greening Program (NGP) and assumed its maintenance with the assistance of FGPAI, a local community organization actively involved in reforestation projects.

DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo signed the agreement with Giga Ace 8 Vice President Roque Tordesillas and FGPAI Chairman Luis Lontok, along with senior officials representing the three parties.

The partnership brings together complementary resources and expertise for sustained greening efforts.

Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Masinloc Officer Donaver Guevarra said that the agreement obliges Giga Ace 8 to plant, protect, and maintain the adopted area in support of Executive Order No. 193, which strengthens the implementation of the NGP to enhance forest cover and promote sustainable forest management.

The DENR, meanwhile, will provide technical guidance in the establishment, protection, and maintenance of the adopted area, while FGPAI will provide on-the-ground activities, Guevarra added.

DENR Zambales head Marife Castillo said the multi-sector collaboration would allow the government, private sector, and people’s organizations to share resources, expertise, and responsibilities in protecting and enhancing forest areas.

Through the 30-hectare forestland adoption, the partners would contribute to increasing forest cover, protecting soil and water resources, and enhancing the area’s ecological functions, she added.

Giga Ace 8, which is a special-purpose renewable energy subsidiary of ACEN Corporation, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, operates the Palauig Solar 2 Project in Barangays Bulawen and Salaza here.

DENR-III Director Pablo said the partnership between the agency, Giga Ace, and FGPAI strengthens collective action toward climate resilience and responsible environmental management. – Taktikom News & Features