The Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered with SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) for the planting of at least a million trees nationwide.

The “Grow A Million Trees” project, launched last Monday, is aimed at reforesting Pampanga, Batangas, Laguna, Camarines Sur, Bacolod, and General Santos City.

A memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed by SMFI executive director Deborah Sy, DENR Director Ricardo Calderon representing Secretary Ramon Paje, and DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji representing Secretary Corazon Soliman.

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

Under the MoA, DENR will identify and delineate a permanent 20-hectare portion in Pampanga, Batangas, Laguna, Camarines Sur, Bacolod, and General Santos City where to plant and nurture the trees.

Sy said they are aiming to plant and grow one million trees within the next three years in the six project areas.

SMFI will be conducting the seedling production and tree-planting activity with close coordination with the DENR.

As also stated under the MoA, the DENR will provide the necessary technical assistance in nursery operation, plantation establishment, and plantation maintenance and protection.

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

As part of the agreement, a people’s organization or environmental group within the selected area will plant and nurture the trees for the duration of the agreement.

DSWD for its part will closely coordinate with SMFI and DENR by sharing their Community-Driven Enterprise Development (CDED) approach to the people’s organization members in the area, comprised of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and non-Pantawid Pamilya members.

The project also aims to employ disadvantaged individuals in the respective local communities, including Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, as a way of empowering them through social entrepreneurial skills preparation and capacity-building activities.