RC Makati Partnership with UPLB to Restore Sierra Madre Forest

In a landmark collaboration for environmental restoration and education, RC Makati, led by Pres. Keith Harrison, PND/VP Chris Ferareza, and Incoming Director CB Rivilla, joined the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) on May 26, 2025, for a meaningful tree-planting initiative at the UP Sierra Madre Land Grant. This large-scale activity brought together key leaders from the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), including Dean Marlo Mendoza, Dr. Enrico Supangco, Executive Director of the UPLB Foundation, and Mr. Reynaldo Lorida, Land Grant Management Office (LGMO) Manager. Youth participation played a vital role in the event, with 15 members of the Interact Club of Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School led by adviser Mrs. Arlene Okuma, and 10 students each from the Sisters of Mary School’s Boystown and Girlstown campuses, accompanied by Sr. Mylene Arambulo and Sr. Esterlita. The Rotaract Club of Makati was also represented by PP Kash Gana and Rain Rubia. After a three-hour journey from Makati, participants were greeted with warmth and hospitality in the form of hot soup and traditional delicacies, providing much-needed comfort amid the drizzling and chilly mountain weather.

The program commenced with welcome remarks from LGMO Manager Rey Lorida and a compelling address by Dean Marlo Mendoza, who emphasized the deeper purpose of the gathering not just reforestation, but a renewed appreciation for the ecological and academic significance of UP’s land grants and the remaining forests of the Sierra Madre, the country’s “last frontier.” Dean Mendoza elaborated on the strategic importance of the Laguna-Quezon Land Grant (LQLG), granted on February 8, 1930 via Legislative Act 3608, and the Laguna Land Grant (LLG), established on June 18, 1964 through Republic Act No. 3990. The LQLG spans 5,729 hectares and was created as a permanent endowment for the University of the Philippines, while the LLG serves as a central experiment station supporting the research and extension programs of UP’s Colleges of Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. Despite their critical ecological role in mitigating typhoon impacts from the Pacific and preserving biodiversity, many parts of these land grants remain degraded and in need of urgent restoration.

Pres. Keith delivered a heartfelt message of gratitude, recognizing Dean Mendoza’s leadership, the film production team behind the environmental advocacy movie showcased in schools, and the collective efforts that made the project possible. He also reflected on the moving student performance of “Let’s Build a Forest,” a poignant reminder of the Club’s shared mission to nurture the environment. Dr. Enrico Supangco reinforced his support on behalf of the UPLB Foundation, setting the stage for the ceremonial signing of the Deed of Donation between RC Makati, UPLB, and the LGMO. During this ceremony, RC Makati officially turned over a Php 460,000.00 check to fund the planting of four hectares of indigenous tree species under a newly launched Industrial Tree Plantation (ITP) initiative.

Following the formalities, the group hiked approximately one kilometer to the planting site, where Dean Mendoza led an interactive forest biodiversity walkthrough and guided participants through the correct tree planting techniques. Each sapling was carefully planted and tagged with the name of the individual planter serving as a personal pledge to environmental stewardship. The ITP initiative is a forward-thinking program designed to integrate ecological restoration with long-term educational benefits. Through sustainable harvesting of indigenous trees, the project aims to fund full scholarships and provide academic incentives for Latin Honor graduates and Forester Licensure Examination topnotchers. Additionally, it offers hands-on training for forestry students across the full production forestry value chain from seedling to sawmill while supplying raw materials for CFNR facilities.

Beyond its academic and economic potential, the ITP project significantly contributes to forest landscape restoration, ecological services recovery, and CFNR’s ongoing community extension programs. With the first harvest anticipated in twelve years, the initiative upholds a strict commitment to replanting each tree harvested to ensure ecological balance. This endeavor not only strengthens RC Makati’s advocacy for sustainable forestry but also showcases the transformative power of partnerships in safeguarding the environment and investing in future generations.