Large scale reforestation ‘Green Samar project’ launched in PH

Undersecretary Mitch Cuna, Ruben Picardo, Atty. Thomas Kabigting, Minority Floor Leader Congressman Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr., DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Allana Montelibano, Her Excellency French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, Atty. Karen Jimeno, Pierre Forestier, Matthieu Delouvrier, and Jeremy Knight during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding to implement the Green Samar Project.

MANILA, Philippines — Samar BioSPV, a company established by aDryada and Samar Bamboo Corporation, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), signed a partnership agreement to deploy the country’s largest reforestation project in Samar Province.

On May 29, 2024, Samar BioSPV signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga) to implement the Green Samar Project. The Green Samar Project will restore 90,000 hectares of degraded forest in the North-West part of the Samar Island Natural Park.

Bénédicte Gazon, Pierre Forestier, Her Excellency French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, and Matthieu Delouvrier attended the launching of Green Samar Project.

The Project supports the priorities of the Philippine government. Nature-based solutions have been identified as a critical tool in the country’s arsenal to mitigate the effects of climate change and increase the resilience of local communities, by creating jobs and provide ecosystem services.

READ: DENR targets 1 million hectares of reforestation during Marcos Jr.’s term

As part of the Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP), the government plans to reforest at least one million hectares of land in the country before 2028. The Philippines is also finalizing a carbon credit framework that aims to both facilitate the achievement of national climate transition goals and attract foreign investors.

The Green Samar Project will undertake reforestation and restore biodiversity in Samar Island National Park. The project will also create jobs and support livelihood for the Samar province communities through the development of bamboo economical activities, including a facility to transform bamboo into useful commodities.

The Green Samar Project was formulated through a collaboration initiated by Audax Global, an international group headed by Jeremy Knight and represented in the Philippines by Allana Montelibano and Karen Jimeno.

“I am proud to launch this project, which is based on the three pillars that aDryada considers equally important to achieve a high level of quality: climate, biodiversity, and improving the living conditions of local populations. It is all the more promising as it draws on the strong experience of our partner and the excellent work carried out by the Authorities, both at local and national levels,” said Fabio Ferrari, CEO of aDryada.

Atty. Karen Jimeno, Undersecretary Mitch Cuna, Deputy Speaker Congresswoman Camille Villar, Governor Dakila Cua, Congresswoman Midy Cua, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Hon. Joey Zubiri, Ruben Picardo, Allana Montelibano, Rizome President David Sands, Hon. Luis Lorenzo Jr., Joaquin Loyzaga, Atty. Nalen Rosero, and Atty. Thomas Kabigting attended the launching of Green Samar Project.

“As a Philippine citizen originating from Samar, I am delighted to participate in the Green Samar Project, which will have a transformational impact on the province and its local communities. And I am confident that our partnership with aDryada will be powerful enough to achieve our ambitious goals”, said Ruben Picardo, President of Samar Bamboo Corporation (SBC).

French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said: “This project exhibits that one should never have to choose between the environment and economic and social development.”

Ambassador Fontanel also spoke about the significance of signing the MOU in Manila.

“The Paris Climate Agreement was born in Manila, Philippines. In 2015, then Philippine President Benigno III and French President Francois Hollande launched the Manila call to action for climate change after which the countries met in Paris for the climate change convention,” Ambassador Fontanel said.

“This project is an example, as the Ambassador has just said, how national and local government as well as our bilateral partners can work together with the private sector in a whole of government and a whole of society approach for climate resilience,” Sec. Yulo-Loyzaga said.