The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to plant approximately 690,000 trees starting this July across key watersheds in Pampanga (Sapangbato, Angeles City and Sacobia, Mabalacat City) and Maragondon, Cavite.
This initiative serves as a core component of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project’s Greening Program.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez approved the tree planting in the Pampanga and Cavite watersheds as part of the NSCR Greening Program.
“As we complete the construction of major transportation projects, it is our responsibility to protect the environment. We will plant trees to replace the trees cut down as a result of the construction of such projects,” Lopez said.
DOTr Assistant Secretary for Right of Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) IC Calaguas, conducted an ocular visit at the two proposed greening sites on Friday, February 27, with representatives from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and people’s organization Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI).
With a Tree Cutting Permit for the NSCR Calamba Extension Project issued by the DENR, the transport agency is mandated to implement a Greening Program to mitigate the environmental or ecological impact of tree cutting during the construction phase, while preserving natural resources for future generations.
Since 2024, the DOTr is targeting to plant a total of 1.2 million seedlings in 18 sites across Bulacan and Pampanga as part of the Greening Program for NSCR. The initiative involves seedling procurement and delivery, plantation establishment, maintenance and protection, validation activities, and project management and supervision, according to Asec. Calaguas.
Crucial for preventing flooding and ensuring a reliable source of clean water for Angeles City, the 546-hectare Barangay Sapangbato is covered by the Sapangbato Watershed, while the protected Sacobia Watershed serves as the primary watershed for the entire province of Pampanga.
The Sapangbato and Sacobia watersheds are on top of DOTr’s existing sites in Magalang and Arayat where the agency already planted around 300,000 trees in Barangays Ayala and Turu in Magalang town, in partnership with another people’s organization, the Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Mataas na Lupa, Inc. and La Paz Turu Upland Farmers Association.
Magalang Municipality Mayor Malu Lacson, who joined the inspection at Mt. Arayat National Park, said they fully support the NSCR as it will provide fast transportation for passengers, while the tree planting will help in preventing flooding in low-lying areas.
“It’s a big help to our environment, especially in flood mitigation, fresher air, better environment for the next generation. We fully support the NSCR because it will provide comfort to motorists, as they won’t have to spend long hours on the road if there is a reliable train,” Mayor Lacson said.
