Manila, March 21 -- For a more resilient and climate-proof Philippines in the future, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched the "Forests For Life: 5M Trees by 2028" initiative, which aims to plant and grow 5 million trees across critical areas in the country in the next four years.

During the project launch on Friday in Makati City, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga cited the indispensable role of forests in maintaining ecological balance, mitigating climate change, and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos.

However, she said the country's forest ecosystems are threatened by deforestation, land degradation, and the growing impact of climate change.

"This is why the Forests ...