DBP commits ₱5.39-M to Tarlac reforestation drive

The state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has extended ₱5.39 million in environmental assistance to the Tarlac provincial government to support reforestation efforts in San Jose and help reduce the municipality’s vulnerability to flooding.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus said the funding, provided under the bank’s DBP Forest Program (DFP), would support the planting of 22,440 native and fruit-bearing trees across at least 100 hectares of open and degraded grasslands and forest areas.

De Jesus said the partnership aims to protect the environment, prevent soil erosion, conserve water resources and restore wildlife habitats while creating livelihood opportunities for local communities.

The project will feature native and fruit-bearing species, including narra, palosapis, Benguet pine, lauan, tamarind and duhat.

Beyond environmental rehabilitation, the initiative is expected to provide agricultural resources and livelihood support to around 100 upland residents of San Jose. These include assistance for crop production, cultivation and the establishment of small-scale plant nurseries.

The DBP Forest Program, established in 2005, is a flagship corporate social responsibility initiative designed to protect critical forest areas, watersheds and coastal ecosystems while generating income opportunities for host communities.

As of end-September 2026, DBP had released ₱124.98 million for 57 projects under the program, supporting the planting of 6.74 million seedlings across 6,545 hectares in various provinces.

DBP is the country’s 10th-largest bank and provides financing support to four priority sectors: infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; the environment; and social services and community development.

Tarlac, a landlocked province in Central Luzon, has a population of more than 1.5 million. San Jose is its largest municipality in terms of land area.

De Jesus said the bank intends to expand partnerships with institutions and organizations pursuing environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, in line with the government’s efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.

He added that DBP would continue strengthening its environmental programs for the benefit of present and future generations.