The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has announced substantial achievements in restoring forests, managing water resources, and strengthening environmental governance throughout 2025. This progress comes as the nation confronts more severe and unpredictable weather patterns, underscoring the urgency of building climate resilience.
Confronting the New Climate Reality
DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla emphasized that the agency's actions directly follow President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to enhance the country's ability to withstand climate impacts. The Philippines is adapting to a "new normal" characterized by intense rainfall, destructive flooding, and periods of water scarcity. Lotilla pointed to recent extreme weather events as clear evidence of the challenge.
He noted that severe flooding occurred even without tropical cyclones. For instance, Metro Manila and Quezon City recorded 134.2 millimeters of rain in just one day on August 30, an amount nearly equal to an average week's rainfall. Furthermore, Typhoon Tino dumped approximately 183 millimeters of rain on Cebu over two days, which is equivalent to about one and a half months of typical precipitation.
"These conditions show that we are dealing with extraordinary challenges that demand extraordinary responses, not only from government but from the whole of society," Secretary Lotilla stated.
Significant Strides in Forest and Land Management
The DENR's report highlighted concrete results in ecosystem recovery. Based on 2025 data from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, Luzon achieved a net forest gain of 53,952 hectares from 2020 to 2025, an accomplishment recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
From 2022 through September 2025, the department's nationwide planting efforts led to 62 million seedlings being planted across nearly 99,000 hectares, focusing on critical watersheds. This massive program also created over 760,000 jobs for local communities. To build on this momentum, the DENR launched the "Forests for Life" campaign, initially aiming for 5 million trees by 2028 but now expanded to a 10-million-tree target with robust private sector backing.
Other key land management accomplishments include:
- Strengthening forest protection by filling more than 2,000 forest ranger positions.
- Issuing over 63,000 agricultural patents, 63,000 residential patents, and 3,000+ special patents for schools and government institutions from July 2022 to September 2025.
Integrated Approach to Water Security and Flood Control
Water security emerged as a central priority in 2025. The DENR adopted an integrated strategy to tackle the interconnected issues of flooding, scarcity, and pollution simultaneously.
Through its Water Resources Management Office, the agency installed desalination and filtration systems in 28 island communities, a project expected to benefit around 28,000 people. Flood management reforms involved closer coordination with infrastructure agencies to ensure projects align with river basin plans.
A draft National Flood Master Plan was completed in August 2025, promoting a blend of nature-based solutions and traditional infrastructure. This plan uniquely emphasizes capturing floodwater for productive uses like irrigation and drinking water. "Flood management is not just about removing water, but about using it wisely," Lotilla explained.
Waste Management, Mining, and Renewable Energy
The DENR also reported strong environmental protection outcomes. Compliance with the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, which mandates large firms to recover plastic waste, exceeded 56% as of October 2025, surpassing the 40% target for 2024.
The network of protected areas was expanded to 7.87 million hectares across 251 sites, including 14 ASEAN Heritage Parks. In the mining sector, the DENR streamlined permits while formalizing small-scale mining through 19 new Minahang Bayan sites declared since 2022. This sector now contributes nearly a quarter of the country's annual gold production.
For renewable energy, the DENR coordinated with the Department of Energy on projects like offshore wind and floating solar to minimize ecological impacts.
A Call for Whole-of-Society Action
Secretary Lotilla concluded that effective environmental governance cannot be achieved by government alone. It requires strong partnerships with local governments, communities, the private sector, and international allies.
"Protecting our environment means strengthening systems -- from forests and water resources to marine ecosystems and climate leadership," he said, framing the department's comprehensive work as foundational to the nation's sustainable future.
