Restoring forests, empowering communities: How public-private partnership is shaping reforestation in the Philippines

These were the words of Atty. Allan Barcena, assistant vice president and head of corporate support functions at First Gen Energy Development Corporation (EDC), as he opened the round table discussion (RTD) for “Forest Restoration Using Philippine Threatened and Endemic Tree Species (PTES) in Bacon-Manito Geothermal Reservation in Support of the Philippines’ Forestry Sector’s National Greening Program”—or the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO)/040/2023 project—in Legazpi City on Nov. 5, 2025.

Representatives from First Gen-EDC, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 5, local communities, the academe and Lopez Group Foundation Inc. (LGFI) gathered for one of the project’s final milestones. The workshop focused on policy formulation, aiming to showcase successful public private partnerships in forest restoration and to develop
recommendations for a policy brief that could guide national reforestation practices.

Although the project has several months before it con cludes in mid-2026, the RTD marked a turning point. Experts and practitioners shared lessons

from the field and shaped them into actionable inputs that could influence policies across the Philippines.

The question at the heart of the discussion was simple yet far-reaching: How do we restore forests better, faster and at scale, and how do we do it together?

A strategic initiative
The AFoCO/040/2023 project is more than a reforestation effort. It is a strategic initiative connecting First Gen-EDC’s core operations, environmental responsibility and whole-of-society partnerships. What happens in the forest directly affects the geothermal reservation and the company’s ability to deliver clean, reliable energy.

A healthy watershed is essential for geothermal production. Strong relationships with local communities ensure the company’s long-term presence. Science-based forestry policies guide how restoration efforts succeed or fail.

By restoring the forest area within the 25,000-hectare Bacon-Manito Geothermal Reservation and promoting the adoption of Philippine threatened and endemic tree species in Bacon, Sorsogon and Manito, Albay, in the Bicol region, the project safeguards the very ecosystem that sustains energy production.

Partnerships with the Alliance of Bacman Farmers Association Inc. and the DENR turn forest restoration into a shared mission rather than a one-way effort. Community members, many of whom rely on the land for their livelihoods, become stewards of the forest.

“The greatest impact of our work has been building open communication with the community,” said Marcelino Gallegos Picardal, project officer. “We were able to change their beliefs about forest protection and the goals of EDC. In a place where forests once meant nothing, where burning and overharvesting were common, they now understand why forests matter not just for today but for the next generation.”

Government partners contribute policy guidance, technical expertise and regulatory alignment. First Gen-EDC provides long-term commitment and operational support; LGFI provides the structure to manage the fund. Together, these layers form a strategic, long-term approach that goes far beyond planting trees.

Perhaps the most important impact lies ahead.

The project’s policy formulation work has the potential to influence forest restoration nationwide. Recommendations for clearer standards, stronger

monitoring systems, improved livelihood support and formalized public-private partnership models could shape institutional policies across the Philippines.

For the Lopez Group, this represents strategic, systemic impact. For communities, it means sustainable support. For the country, it points toward stronger, more resilient approaches to reforestation where science, collaboration, funding and local leadership converge.

Scaling up
The AFoCO/040/2023 project shows that reforestation is most effective when it is shared. Public-private partnerships bring together government agencies, private companies, community organizations, academic institutions and international funders to restore and protect vital ecosystems.

Leveraging external funding allows these efforts to scale far beyond what any single entity could achieve. The AFoCO grant amplified First Gen-EDC’s capacity to implement resto
ration initiatives, reach more communities and introduce better practices. It also brought credibility, technical expertise and a platform for collaboration that strengthened the program’s overall effectiveness.

The project demonstrates that private sector involvement can go beyond traditional activities like tree planting or participation in government-led campaigns. By engaging in strategic planning, funding and policy discussions, the private sector can help create restoration programs that are sustainable, scalable and responsive to local needs.

The results extend beyond the environment. Communities gain livelihood support and technical skills. Government agencies gain capable partners to implement science-backed policies. Companies reinforce their social license to operate while contributing meaningfully to biodiversity and ecosystem protection.

“Through this partnership, we were able to develop knowledge materials that are accessible to everyone,” said Niño Gibe, head of corporate relations of First Gen-EDC. “We documented the threatened risks in the sites, the native species in Bicol and even the propagation protocols. These resources ensure that the project can be replicated even if restoration efforts face challenges or natural calamities.”

Gibe also shared that one of the most rewarding outcomes of the project is seeing local champions emerge, the community members who now take

ownership of forest protection and sustainability.

Through shared responsibility, the AFoCO/040/2023 project maximizes impact not just in hectares reforested but in systems and practices that endure. It shows how private initiatives, when aligned with public goals, can catalyze long term benefits for both people and the planet.

Enabling strategic initiatives
More than a fund administrator for the project, LGFI exists to synergize corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives across the Lopez Group, ensuring that each company’s philanthropic and sustainability efforts align toward a shared mission.

CSR is in the DNA of the Group. Its companies do not merely “give back”; they operate with purpose, putting people at the center of every decision. Protecting the environment, uplifting communities and generating inclusive growth are embedded in their core business.

LGFI provides the structure that makes large-scale initiatives like the AFoCO/040/2023 project possible. By managing resources, coordinating partnerships and ensuring account ability, LGFI helps turn collaborative ideas into measurable, long-lasting impact. Its support ensures the project is

scalable, sustainable and capable of leaving a legacy beyond its lifespan.

The RTD in November closed with actionable inputs that will be compiled into a policy brief. This brief will undergo fur ther validation and is intended for endorsement to the DENR.

The goal is clear: to create policies that improve forest restoration practices nationwide and leverage public-private collaboration for greater impact.

By combining First Gen EDC’s vision, community commitment, government guidance and LGFI’s enabling role, the Lopez Group demonstrates that true sustainability is not the work of a single entity. It is the result of collective effort aligned toward a single purpose: creating lasting benefits for people and the planet.

The AFoCO/040/2023 project proves that reforestation is more than planting trees. It is about people, partnerships and policies that endure. It is about transforming ecosystems and communities together, with shared responsibility, shared vision and shared impact.

For more information about First Gen-EDC’s BINHI pro gram and the AFoCO/040/2023 project, visit https://binhi.ph

Story By Hajj De Jesus