RETHINKING AFFORESTATION: LET’S GROW NEW FORESTS, NOT JUST SINGLE TREES

RETHINKING AFFORESTATION: LET’S GROW NEW FORESTS, NOT JUST SINGLE TREES

After every typhoon, after every flood, and after every landslide, we’re reminded—again and again—that we need to plant more trees. And yet, we continue to act like this is a new discovery. It’s not. We’ve known it for decades. Trees slow down water runoff, hold the soil in place, and absorb carbon dioxide. But still, we fail to act at the scale required.

Let’s be honest: planting a few ceremonial seedlings here and there during “Earth Month” won’t solve our deforestation problem. We need to plant millions of trees, not just in denuded forests but in areas that were never forested before. This is where afforestation comes in—the planting of forests where there were none before.

For those who still confuse terms: reforestation is replanting trees in previously forested areas. Afforestation is planting new forests in places that have never been forests. Both are necessary. Both are urgent. Online sources say that afforestation can help deter climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, preventing soil erosion, and enhancing biodiversity. In short, it’s not just about scenery or shade—it’s about survival.

---

Why Can’t We Do It?

That’s the question I keep asking myself—and now, I ask, is afforestation too much to ask from a nation that hasn’t even managed to do reforestation properly?

My answer, respectfully, is yes—but not for technical reasons. We have the science. We have the land. We have the manpower. What we lack is political will, and the kind of leadership that treats the environment not as an afterthought, but as a national priority.

The National Greening Program (NGP), for example, was launched with good intentions. But has it met its targets? Has it restored forest cover? Has anyone even been measuring its actual outcomes—not just seedlings distributed, but forests grown and sustained?

If not, then I suggest that it’s time to audit the NGP. Find out how much land has been reforested, and how much of that is still standing today. Let’s move from tree-planting events to tree-growing commitments.

---

Trees That Belong

Here’s another point that often gets overlooked: not all trees are created equal. We need to plant native species, not fast-growing invasive ones that destroy the natural biodiversity.

Let us all convince the DENR to prioritize native trees. At the same time, they should also identify and phase out invasive species that do more harm than good to our environment.

And while we’re on the subject, why don’t we make mangrove forests a bigger part of our reforestation agenda? Mangroves aren’t just trees; they’re natural barriers that protect our coastal communities from storm surges, flooding, and soil erosion.

Why isn’t mangrove afforestation front and center in our National Greening Program?

---

Learning from a Local Hero

Let me tell you a story: Gary Dabansol, a survivor of Super Typhoon Yolanda, planted 10,000 mangrove trees by himself in Matalom, Leyte. No budget. No government program. Just a man who understood what trees could do to protect his community.

If one man can do that, imagine what we could achieve if the entire government system supported people like Gary.

That brings me to my next point: Incentivize afforestation. What if tree-planting projects became eligible for carbon credit revenues? What if we could connect local efforts to debt-for-nature or debt-for-climate swap programs? Let’s make afforestation not just an environmental duty—but a viable livelihood opportunity.

---

Technology Can Help Us Grow

Monitoring forest growth is easier today than ever before. I propose that the government utilize drones and satellite imagery to verify what’s being planted, where it’s planted, and how much of it survives beyond the rainy season.

Set clear targets—how many square kilometers should be reforested or afforested per region per year. And then, track results visibly and transparently.

---

In Conclusion: Plant the Future

We Filipinos have a phrase: “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.” Let’s extend that wisdom to our forests. If we forget the trees that once protected us, how can we expect protection from the storms yet to come?

The task is immense. But the opportunity is even greater. Afforestation is not a dream—it’s a strategy for disaster risk reduction, food security, biodiversity, and climate mitigation.

And above all, it’s a sign that we care not just about the present—but about the next generation.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

08-17-2025