DENR, SM sign deal to reforest 2 cities, 4 provinces

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently inked an agreement with retail giant SM in the launch of a project aimed at reforesting at least four provinces and two cities.

The DENR and the SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will coordinate in the implementation of the “Grow A Million Trees” project.

Under the memorandum of agreement, the DENR will identify and delineate a permanent 20-hectare portion in Pampanga, Batangas, Laguna, Camarines Sur, Bacolod City and General Santos City where trees can be planted and nurtured. 

SMFI targets to plant and grow one million trees within the next three years in these areas.

SMFI will conduct the seedling production and tree planting in close coordination with the DENR, which will provide the necessary technical assistance in nursery operation, and plantation establishment, maintenance and protection.

SMFI executive director Deborah Sy said the project is part of SM’s commitment to the greening efforts of the government.

“SM will allocate funds for the various activities such as survey, mapping and planning, site preparation, seedling production, hauling of seedlings to planting sites, including the maintenance and protection of the established plantations,” Sy said.

She added a people’s organization or environmental group within the selected area would plant and nurture the trees for the duration of the agreement.

For its part, the DSWD will closely coordinate with SMFI and DENR as it shares its community-driven enterprise development approach to people’s organizations in the six areas, comprising both members and non-members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The project will employ disadvantaged residents in the four provinces and two cities, including 4Ps’ beneficiaries, to empower them through social entrepreneurial skills and capacity-building activities.