In Tanay, Rizal, a stretch of the Sierra Madre is steadily being brought back to life.
Parts of Mt. Bangkaan have long struggled with the effects of deforestation. The soil has thinned, tree cover has declined, and nearby communities have had fewer opportunities to rely on the land. Efforts to restore the area are taking a more deliberate and sustained approach, one that looks beyond planting and into what happens years after.
Since 2011, the Yuchengco Group of Companies’ Earth Care Project has been working on rehabilitating degraded forestland in the area. They start by planting, then stay on to make sure the trees take root. It is a long-term commitment, supported by continuous funding and management rather than one-time activities.
Around 28,000 trees have been established so far, made up of native and fruit-bearing species suited to the terrain. The aim is to rebuild a functioning watershed that can hold soil, support wildlife, and respond better to extreme weather.
The project works closely with local Indigenous communities, who help manage the land through agroforestry. This allows them to grow crops alongside the trees, improving soil conditions while preparing for a more stable source of income. Harvests from fruit-bearing trees are expected within the next three to five years.
YGC Chairperson Helen Yuchengco Dee said protecting forests and watersheds is critical if these spaces are to remain safe for biodiversity and future generations. She said the choices made today will shape what comes next.
The results are gradual but visible. Tree cover is improving, the land is stabilizing, and communities involved in the project are gaining more control over their livelihood.
In places that face frequent storms and flooding, restoring ecosystems is closely tied to everyday life. It affects how communities recover, how they prepare, and how they move forward with fewer risks.
