Cultivating Greener, More Sustainable Communities: Planting Hope Through One Meralco Foundation's One For Trees

How can planting trees lead to thriving communities and even boost local tourism?

Through One For Trees, people’s organizations like Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association (KASAMA) can plant more mangroves in their Eco Park. Photos: One Meralco Foundation

On World Environment Day, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social development arm of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), leads the charge in making a tangible difference through its One For Trees (OFT) program.

Since its launch in 2019, more than 2.7 million trees have been planted and nurtured through the program, demonstrating how environmental preservation intersects with meaningful socio-economic development.

Spurring Tourism through Mangrove Preservation

OFT's efforts have reached the shores of Kalibo and Ibajay, Aklan, where people’s organizations plant mangroves to preserve and sustain their forests.

In New Buswang in Kalibo, Aklan, where high tide flooding affects coastal homes—especially during the monsoon season—community members organize to find solutions to prevent strong winds and floodwaters from destroying their homes and livelihoods.

Indigenous Manobo farmers can earn extra income by planting native trees alongside abaca, one of their primary products, under the One for Trees program.

The Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association (KASAMA) was formed to gather members and encourage the community to plant trees and bakhawan (the local term for mangroves) to combat natural calamities.

Members must undergo training that promotes proactive participation in preserving their environment.

"We had to understand the importance of trees in our lives. Learning the proper process of planting mangroves made us realize that this is a ‘life mission’ for us—that we need to plant mangroves so that our children’s children can enjoy the resources we are enjoying today,” said KASAMA member Rosalie Teodosio.

To help ensure the project’s longevity, OFT supported KASAMA in planting 100,000 mangroves within the organization’s designated ecopark, spanning 10 hectares.

Thanks to KASAMA’s resilience, the mangrove area has become more than just a buffer zone—it’s now a tourism destination. Visitors in Kalibo, Aklan, can explore the 220-hectare ecopark during a 20-minute guided walk that introduces the various mangrove species.

Guests can also kayak along the river flanked by dense mangrove rows. For the adventurous, fresh tamilok—a local woodworm delicacy eaten raw—is also available. Due to these efforts, KASAMA welcomed around 80,000 visitors from 2022 to 2024.

Further west in Ibajay, residents also see tourism potential in their local mangrove forest, Katunggan It Ibajay (KII). OFT assisted the Bugtongbato Fisherfolk Association (BFA) and the Naisud Mangrove and Aquatic Organization (NAMAO) in planting 50,000 new mangroves on KII’s 20-hectare property.

Members of BFA and NAMAO help preserve and sustain these forests, which are crucial fish habitats. These groups recognized the need to maintain the mangrove forests to protect spawning sites.

"We now have a clear guide on mangrove species and how these contribute to the fisheries ecosystem. It became clear to us that we must care for the mangroves to protect our livelihood,” said NAMAO member Glenzy Bernardino.

After managing the forest, they began welcoming tourists to the mangrove forest and boardwalk. Members now share their knowledge with visitors, which also helps them practice English—especially when entertaining foreign tourists from nearby Boracay.

“More than the extra income from tour guiding and OFT’s payouts for planting mangroves, I am proud of my personal growth. I’ve gained confidence—not just in my knowledge of mangroves but also in interacting with people from all walks of life,” Bernardino added.

More than protecting homes and livelihoods, each mangrove project contributes to climate change mitigation. OFT has created indirect yet meaningful opportunities for the people of Kalibo and Ibajay, Aklan.

Strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ Role in Reforestation While Ensuring Livelihood

In Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, reforestation efforts in the Taguibo River Watershed Forest Reserve actively engage the indigenous Manobo community, creating opportunities to enhance livelihoods and generate sustainable income.

Abaca fiber is a key product of Barangay Anticala, providing employment to many local residents.

Roland Mabandos, a member of the Anticala Tribal Council of Elders and Leader Association, Inc. (ATRCELAI), said, “We plant abaca for livelihood. Once it reaches viable growth, we process and sell it to local buyers. That’s why we pushed for OFT to include abaca in our planting mix. Abaca planting is feasible in our area because of the cool climate.”

OFT and the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) collaborated to design the reforestation program based on grassroots needs. More than 48,000 native and fruit trees were intercropped with abaca by ATRCELAI and the Anticala Watershed Farmers Producer Cooperative (AWFPC).

Meralco employee-volunteers and other partners take part in reforestation efforts in the UP Laguna-Quezon Land Grant through the One For Trees.

Planting native trees alongside abaca has benefited the Manobo and other farmers, as the shade provided by the trees helps abaca thrive. But beyond livelihood gains, AWFPC and ATRCELAI have kept their broader mission in mind.

“Our priority is always to protect the Taguibo Watershed. We stay true to our commitment that our planting benefits the river,” said AWFPC member Glen Andojoyan.

Engaging Partners and Volunteers in Reforestation Efforts

The University of the Philippines Laguna-Quezon Land Grant (LQLG) in Siniloan, Laguna, is one of many OFT reforestation sites. Located in the southern Sierra Madre, the forest serves as a natural buffer against the tropical cyclones that frequently hit the Philippines during the rainy season.

In 2024, the site saw 11,149 new trees planted, contributing to a total of 185,649 trees planted by OFT in the area.

However, tree planting is only the beginning. Engaging partners as long-term stewards of reforestation—and educating volunteers—has been essential to the program’s success.

Located just 75 kilometers east of Pasig City, LQLG provides OMF partners with a convenient location for participating in OFT through employee volunteerism. In 2024, around 170 volunteers trekked up the land grant to plant native trees.

For MPower Energy Engineer Jayster Abainza, participating in the tree-planting activity raises awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. “Though it’s a small step, it’s a step in the right direction toward a greener future. Together, let’s keep defending the environment and building a sustainable future for all.”

OMF's partner at LQLG, Fostering Education and Environment for Development, Inc. (FEED), received support in promoting their community-based forestry approach. Their goal: rehabilitate LQLG through environmental awareness and action while ensuring alternative livelihoods for local communities.

“The sustainable forestry program is rooted in people acting as guardians and stewards of the forest. With many volunteers joining OFT here at the land grant, we’ve extended awareness for climate action—and shown how something as simple as planting trees can offer a nature-based solution to a complex problem,” said Anne Marie Bakker, Director for Partnerships at FEED.

The One For Trees program, which began in 2019, has planted and nurtured 2,727,433 trees to date. It has active partnerships and plantation sites in Laguna; San Miguel and Norzagaray in Bulacan; various LGUs in the Province of Bohol; Kalibo and Ibajay in Aklan; Butuan in Agusan del Norte; Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte; and Pangantucan in Bukidnon.