THE AYALA Group has joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in its goal of ensuring the growth and survival of five million trees by 2028, part of efforts to help Philippine forests thrive again.
In a signing ceremony on Thursday, July 31, Ayala Corporation, ACEN, Ayala Land Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Globe Telecom Inc. committed to supporting the DENR’s Forests for Life initiative through land allocation, tree planting and maintenance activities.
“It is only through collaborating with government and similar-minded peers in the private sector that we can truly create a natural environment that every Filipino deserves. May this partnership be a template of many more meaningful engagements with the DENR to advance the welfare of the environment and promote the responsible use of our natural resources,” said Ayala Corporation vice chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala.
Launched in March 2025, the Forests for Life initiative aims to revive the country’s forest cover, restore biodiversity, improve water resources, reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere, and help mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Philippines currently has only 24 percent of forest cover remaining following centuries of denudation, said Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla.
To revive deforested areas, the Environment Department is enlisting the help of private sector partners to plant and ensure the survival of five million trees over the next three years.
“The DENR’s partnership with the Ayala Group of Companies is a powerful affirmation that sustainable development is a shared responsibility,” Lotilla said.
“Through the Forests for Life: 5 Million Trees by 2028 Program, we are combining science and community stewardship to restore critical ecosystems and secure our future. Together, we are not just planting trees – we are investing in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive growth for generations to come,” he said.
Forests for Life is well aligned with the Ayala Group’s long-held principles of stewardship and sustainability. It has committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, embedding sustainability in its business operations. It has also prioritized ESG-favorable business transactions, with a total $6.2 billion in sustainable financing as of end 2024. To learn more about Ayala’s sustainability efforts, visit ayala.com/sustainability.
