Laguna Quezon Land Grant, Sierra Madre – May 4, 2025
In the heart of the Sierra Madre, the country’s most vital mountain range and natural shield against typhoons, 35 student-volunteers from San Beda College Alabang’s Environmental Law Society took a stand—not just for trees, but for justice. Participating in FEED’s SAVE (Students & Volunteers for the Environment) Planting initiative, these aspiring environmental lawyers became stewards of a living legacy that ties the law, the land, and the lives of people together.

These volunteers, citizens of the country who hold the future in their hands, planted 300 native Philippine tree seedlings—100 each of Balitbitan, Malaruhat, and Kupang—species deeply embedded in the country’s ecological identity. Their effort contributed to the long-term restoration of biodiversity, improved watershed function, and resilience against landslides and floods. But beyond these ecological benefits, the action carried a deeper meaning: the embodiment of environmental law as a tool not only for conservation but also for climate justice.

Environmental law is not confined to legal texts or courtrooms—it lives in every forest protected, every watershed rehabilitated, and every community uplifted. In the Philippines, legal frameworks provide crucial protection for natural ecosystems. However, their full realization depends on grassroots vigilance, informed citizenry, and future leaders like these students who understand that laws must be lived, not just legislated.

Crucially, these environmental law students recognized that climate justice goes beyond nature—it includes people. The most vulnerable sectors, such as farmers, fisherfolk, Indigenous communities, and forest guards, are often the ones most impacted by climate change, deforestation, and resource exploitation—yet they are also frontline protectors of our environment.

Planting trees in the Sierra Madre is not just an act of ecological restoration—it is also a statement of solidarity with those who depend on these forests for their livelihood and survival. As these students worked the land, they honored the lives and labor of upland farmers and forest stewards, whose protection and empowerment must be central to any climate strategy.

FEED’s Ridge to Reef approach connects upland reforestation with coastal and marine ecosystem restoration—recognizing the interconnectedness of mountains, rivers, mangroves, and coral reefs. Every tree planted upstream contributes to less erosion, cleaner rivers, and healthier coastal fisheries. This integrated strategy is not just about restoring ecological balance, but also about securing food, water, and disaster protection for millions of Filipinos.

By engaging in this initiative, the Environmental Law Society became active participants in this holistic vision—helping ensure that reforestation efforts benefit not only ecosystems, but also the communities who depend on them. The involvement of youth in such programs fosters intergenerational cooperation, where seasoned environmentalists and local communities mentor emerging advocates.

The activity also served as a wake-up call. Illegal logging and forest degradation continue to undermine conservation efforts. Environmental law must be more than punitive; it must also be preventive and participatory—ensuring alternative livelihoods, equitable land access, and community-led protection mechanisms. The students’ call for stronger enforcement and inclusive policy reform echoes a national urgency: to protect both the environment and the people who live within it.

Each tree planted by the volunteers was more than a seedling—it was a pledge for justice, resilience, and inclusion. It was a statement that environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. Climate justice demands that we fight for clean air and fertile soil—but also for dignified lives for farmers, fisherfolk, forest guards, and Indigenous peoples.

FEED extends heartfelt thanks to the students of the Environmental Law Society of San Beda College Alabang for their passion, awareness, and action. Deep gratitude also goes to the local community members, particularly the women who prepared nourishing meals, and to forest defenders like Forester Rey Lorida and Ms. Rose Bocado, who facilitated and shared their wisdom.

As FEED continues to expand its Living Legacy programs, this youth-led event reminds us that change is already taking root—not only in the soil of Sierra Madre, but in the hearts of future legal advocates who will ensure that the Philippines’ environmental laws protect both nature and nation.

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GPS Coordinates & Photos 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: