Laguna, Philippines — September 17, 2025. The Laguna Quezon Land Grant in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains once again came alive with the spirit of environmental stewardship as 50 volunteers from Chiyoda Philippines Corporation joined hands for a meaningful reforestation effort. Under the warm sun and cool mountain breeze, the group embarked on a mission to help heal the country’s longest mountain range—home to countless endemic species and a critical shield against natural disasters.

Despite the Sierra Madre’s famously unpredictable weather—where calm skies can swiftly turn into sudden downpours—the day was graced with clear conditions and renewed optimism. The volunteers successfully planted 200 seedlings of native Philippine trees, including Balitbitan, Almasiga, Maraluhat Puti, Bani, Kamagong, Palo ng Maria, Kuling Baboy, Yakal, and Narra. These native species are vital in rebuilding the forest’s ecological integrity, as they are naturally suited to the region’s soil and climate. Unlike fast-growing exotic trees, native species enhance biodiversity by providing food and shelter for local wildlife, strengthening the long-term resilience of the ecosystem.

Before the planting began, Laguna Quezon Land Grant staff Rose Bocado and Forest Guard Randy gave an engaging orientation and live demonstration on proper planting techniques. Their guidance ensured that every seedling was planted with care, giving each young tree a stronger chance to thrive and contribute to the forest’s natural regeneration.

For generations, the Sierra Madre—often called the “backbone of Luzon”—has served as the country’s first line of defense against typhoons, buffering lowland communities from devastating winds and floods. Yet decades of illegal logging and deforestation have left many of its slopes scarred. Reforestation initiatives like this one play a crucial role in reversing those damages. By restoring forest cover, trees rebuild soil health, prevent erosion, and regulate water flow. They also act as carbon sinks, helping to mitigate climate change by capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Beyond environmental recovery, this initiative also strengthened community ties. The volunteers shared a hearty home-cooked meal prepared by local women—an expression of gratitude and solidarity that reflected the warmth of the community’s spirit. Special thanks were extended to Forester Rey Lorida, the Forest Guardians, and FEED, Inc., whose collaboration made the event possible.

As the final seedlings took root in the mountain soil, the Chiyoda Philippines team left not just a mark on the land but a promise—to nurture life, protect biodiversity, and sustain hope for the generations that will inherit the forests they helped restore.

Through this partnership among Chiyoda Philippines Corporation, FEED, Inc., and the local community, the event stood as a testament to what collective action can achieve. Reforestation is more than planting trees—it is about rekindling harmony between people and nature, ensuring that the Sierra Madre continues to stand strong for centuries to come.

Photo Library:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Chiyoda Philippines Corporation

Providing Global Engineering Service

Chiyoda Philippines Corporation (CPh), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiyoda Corporation (Yokohama, Japan), one of the largest engineering and construction companies in the world.

We are primarily engaged in engineering design serving the requirements of Chiyoda Corporation, presently undertaking Engineering, Procurement, Construction and other related works of various plants facilities mainly gas processing, petroleum refining and petrochemical plants and facilities. With a wealth of experience in the field of business, CPh has become a competitive engineering service contractor that led to the development of refinery and other related projects in the country.

More details here: https://chiyodaphil.com.ph

GPS Coordinates of Planting Site

Use any GPS (Global Positioning System) software / applications to input the latitude and longitude coordinates to be able to remotely see the location of your trees planted. Some examples include: