18,645 hectares targeted for forest planting, maintenance, and protection to strengthen climate resilience and support local livelihoods
More forests protected, more trees nurtured, and more communities safeguarded against the effects of climate change.
The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is proposing P1.62 billion for the Expanded National Greening Program (NGP) in 2027, nearly tripling its 2026 funding to support the planting, maintenance, and protection of 18,645 hectares of forests and other suitable lands nationwide.
The proposed allocation under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) represents a 186.32-percent increase from the P565 million provided under the FY 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), reflecting the administration’s continued commitment to forest rehabilitation, environmental protection, and climate resilience.
The investment is particularly significant as forests serve as natural defenses against soil erosion, flooding, and other environmental risks, while helping preserve biodiversity, absorb carbon emissions, and sustain the livelihoods of communities that depend on forest resources.
As President Marcos emphasized in his FY 2027 President’s Budget Message, environmental protection and climate resilience are investments in the country’s long-term security and prosperity.
“By protecting our natural resources today and strengthening our capacity to withstand future risks, we are building a cleaner, greener, safer, and more resilient Bagong Pilipinas for present and future generations.”
The Expanded NGP goes beyond planting trees. It also supports the continued maintenance and protection of rehabilitated areas to help ensure that reforestation efforts deliver lasting environmental benefits.
The program likewise provides livelihood opportunities for upland and lowland communities, including indigenous peoples, while encouraging their active participation in protecting and sustainably managing the country’s forests.
Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the Departments of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, the Expanded NGP brings together government agencies, local communities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in advancing sustainable forest management.
The proposed P1.62-billion allocation forms part of the DENR’s P29.47-billion proposed budget for 2027, an increase of 4.24 percent from its P28.27-billion enacted budget in 2026.
The DENR’s proposed budget will also support other key environmental priorities, including biodiversity conservation, pollution reduction, ecosystem rehabilitation, and the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources.
Under the leadership of Acting Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) continues to support the Marcos administration’s environmental and climate resilience agenda through strategic budget allocations that prioritize long-term protection, community welfare, and sustainable development.
For the DBM, the proposed investment underscores an important principle in public spending: the value of environmental programs must be measured not only by the number of trees planted, but also by the forests that survive, the ecosystems that recover, and the communities that benefit.
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