LAGUNA -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) –Calabarzon signed a Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) with Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) Corporation for the adoption of 50 hectares of National Greening Program (NGP) Plantation in Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna and eight hectares of mangrove site in Barangay Talisay, Calatagan, Batangas. The signing was done in Sta Rosa City in this province. A total of 41,000 trees and mangrove propagules are projected to be planted in the adopted sites. Since 2015, TMP has been an active partner of DENR in its biodiversity conservation efforts. Previously, TMP has adopted a total of 50 hectares of NGP sites (40 hectares in Maragondon, Cavite, and 10 hectares in Lian, Batangas) and has planted 63,845 mangrove propagules, native and fruit-bearing trees as of this date. “The three-year investment of the government is not an assurance that the planted trees will survive, we must recognize that to achieve NGP’s objective, the government’s effort alone will not be enough,” said Nilo Tamoria, DENR Calabarzon regional executive director. “To ensure the sustainability of the program and the higher survival rate of our planted seedlings, we need assistance from our partners,” added Tamoria. He cited the important role of the private sector in providing assistance in the expanded National Greening Program. “Today’s signing marks the significant milestone for TMP’s continuous environmental preservation initiatives as TMP shall be entering a five-year partnership with DENR with the support of Local Government Units, People’s Organizations, and local communities to achieve its commitment,” said TMP vice chairman and treasurer Dr. David Go. The signatories of the agreement are Tamoria and Go, witnessed by TMP first vice president and environmental director Jhohana A. Mamonong, Laguna PENR officer Eriberto B. Saños, Batangas PENR officer Noel Recillo, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Sta. Cruz Venerando U. Garcia, and Calaca, Batangas CENR Officer Isagani Amatorio. *Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Calabarzon regional executive director Nilo Tamoria and Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) vice chairman and treasurer Dr. David Go with TMP Environmental Director Jhohana A. Mamonong, Laguna PENRO Eriberto B. Saños, Batangas PENRO Noel Recillo, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer of CENRO Sta. Cruz, CENRO Venerando U. Garcia, and Calaca, Batangas CENRO Isagani  Amatorio show the copy of the Memorandum Of Agreement adopting 50 hectares of National Greening Program (NGP) Plantation at Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna and eight hectares of mangrove site at Barangay Talisay, Calatagan, Batangas, in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. (Photo via Danny Estacio)*
Saños said: “We hope that the adoption of the NGP site will attain its ultimate objective – that our planted seedlings will become mature trees. Kailangan pong mabuhay at lumaki ang ating mga puno to serve its purpose as part of our ecosystem.” On the other hand, Recillo also extended gratitude to TMP in its initiative to adopt another NGP site in the province of Batangas. He shared that in 2020, PENRO Batangas also signed a MOA with TMP for the adoption of a 10-hectare mangrove area in Lian, Batangas which just recently ended. “Hopefully, in the future, ma-expand natin in other provinces not only in Calabarzon but also in other regions... On the part of DENR, we are very much willing to provide the assistance that you need for the protection, conservation, and development of our environment and natural resources”, Recillo said. Since 2018, DENR CALABARZON through its Tayo Ang Kalikasan Program, has been encouraging the participation of various stakeholders in the sustainable management of the developed NGP plantations and the protection of existing forests. In 2022, 15 NGP sites covering 1,400 hectares were adopted by its partners while this year, DENR Calabarzon has already signed eight MOA’s for the adoption of NGP sites in the region including the agreements with TMP. About 132 graduated NGP sites are open for adoption all over Calabarzon. Those who would like to adopt a site may coordinate with the nearest DENR Office in the region, Tamoria said.