Glass Lewis Philippines Inc. Plants 636 Indigenous Trees in Sierra Madres

16 January 2026 | Siniloan, Laguna – Glass Lewis Philippines Inc., in partnership with Fostering Education and Environment for Development, Inc. (FEED) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), successfully planted 636 indigenous trees at the UP Laguna–Quezon Land Grant (LQLG) in Siniloan, Laguna. The activity forms part of ongoing community-based reforestation efforts in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, the longest mountain range in the Philippines and a critical biodiversity corridor and climate buffer for Luzon.

The Sierra Madre plays a vital role in protecting communities from typhoons, flooding, and soil erosion, while serving as a carbon sink and habitat for endemic flora and fauna. According to forestry experts, native tree species have significantly higher survival rates and ecological value than exotic species, contributing to improved watershed protection, biodiversity recovery, and long-term forest resilience.

A total of 46 employees from Glass Lewis Philippines Inc. participated in the activity, which began with an opening program led by Ms. Anne-Marie Mananquil Bakker, FEED Partnerships Director, who highlighted FEED’s long-standing collaboration with UPLB.
“Since 2011, FEED has worked closely with UPLB and local communities to ensure that reforestation efforts are science-based, community-led, and sustainable,” said Ms. Bakker. “Tree planting is not just about numbers—it is about restoring ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods, and protecting future generations.”

The participants were welcomed by Forester Reynaldo Lorida, Director of the UP Laguna–Quezon Land Grant, who emphasized the importance of forest protection as a source of both environmental and economic sustainability for nearby communities.  “Reforestation here directly supports alternative livelihoods such as forest stewardship, nursery management, and community-based food services,” said Forester Lorida. “These initiatives help diversify income sources while encouraging long-term protection of forest resources.”

Before proceeding to the planting site, participants underwent a short warm-up exercise and safety briefing. Accompanied by 10 trained forest rangers, the group completed a 20-minute guided trek to the planting area, where holes and planting materials had been prepared in advance. This careful site preparation supports proper planting protocols and contributes to a seedling survival rate of 95 percent or higher.

At the site, Forest Ranger Teotimo Argete (Administrative Aide III) demonstrated proper planting techniques, reminding participants of the deeper responsibility behind the activity, emphasizing that “tree planting should always be done with care and love, not just as a task. Seedlings are live matter, just like us – so we need to treat them with the same respect we would our own babies – because that is what they are: baby seedlings who in 40 years will nurture other saplings and wildlings, and eventually restore lost forest cover”.

The indigenous species planted included:

  • 236 Balitbitan
  • 200 Lipote
  • 200 Katmon

All seedlings were native agroforestry species sourced from the same site, ensuring ecological compatibility and long-term forest health.

“At Glass Lewis Philippines, environmental stewardship is an extension of our corporate values,” said a representative from Glass Lewis Philippines Inc. “Participating in this activity allows our team to contribute meaningfully to climate action, biodiversity protection, and the communities that safeguard these forests.”

After the planting activity, participants returned to the base area for lunch prepared by the local kitchen team led by Nanay Emmy, an initiative that forms part of the project’s alternative livelihood support for the community. The program concluded with FEED and UPLB awarding Glass Lewis Philippines Inc. a certificate of recognition for its contribution to reforestation efforts.

The day ended on a joyful note with a surprise early birthday celebration for Forester Lorida, reinforcing the spirit of camaraderie and shared commitment to environmental stewardship.

FEED, UPLB, and Glass Lewis Philippines Inc. extend their gratitude to the forest rangers, kitchen crew, and all participants whose dedication and teamwork continue to nurture a greener and more resilient future for the Philippines.

About Glass Lewis Philippines Inc.

Glass Lewis Philippines Inc. is part of Glass Lewis, a leading global provider of independent corporate governance research, data-driven insights, and stewardship and proxy voting solutions. Through its operations in the Philippines, Glass Lewis supports global institutional investors while promoting responsible corporate citizenship, including environmental sustainability and community engagement.

Photo Journal

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:

Why We Must Reforest the Sierra Madre and Restore Our Lost Forests Now

In the heart of the Philippines stands a mountain range that has protected us for centuries — a living fortress of roots and stone, catching the fury of storms long before they reach our homes.

This is the Sierra Madre — our last great natural shield.  Every time a typhoon rises from the Pacific and charges toward our shores, it is the Sierra Madre that meets it first. It is the forest that absorbs the blow. It is the trees that break the wind, hold the soil, and keep whole communities from being buried in flood and mud. But like every shield, it weakens when it is chipped away.

Today, more than 90% of the Philippines’ original forests are gone. What we have left — in the Sierra Madre, in our watersheds, in our coasts — is precious, fragile, and irreplaceable.

Planting trees in the Sierra Madre and across the Philippines is not just an environmental gesture — it is a strategic survival need for the country. Because of its geography, biodiversity, climate risks, and social realities, restoring forest cover is one of the most powerful actions the Philippines can take for both people and planet.

Why the Sierra Madre Mountain Range is critically important:

1. The Sierra Madre is the Philippines’ Last Great Natural Shield – The “Backbone of Luzon” protects millions of lives.

  • The Sierra Madre mountain range absorbs and weakens typhoons before they reach Metro Manila and Central Luzon. Without its forested slopes, storms hit lowland communities with full, catastrophic force. Forests act as windbreaks, reducing wind speed.
  • Tree roots hold soil, preventing deadly landslides.
  • Upland forests regulate river systems, preventing flash floods downstream (Cagayan, Isabela, Bulacan, Rizal, NCR).
  • Reforesting the Sierra Madre literally strengthens the natural shield that protects Luzon’s densest population centers.

2. The Philippines Has One of the Highest Biodiversity Levels on Earth — and One of the Highest Rates of Loss

  • The Philippines is one of 17 megadiverse nations. It has over 52,000 species, many found nowhere else. But over 90% of original primary forests have been lost due to logging, agriculture, mining, and urbanization.
  • This means every remaining forest — especially the Sierra Madre — is a refuge for species that could disappear forever.
  • Planting native trees restores: Habitat for endangered species; Migration corridors; Gene pools essential for future climate adaptation; Balance in ecosystems that regulate water, soil, and pollinators.
  • Restoring natural forests is equivalent to preserving the biological soul of the Philippines.

3. With the 5th Longest Coastline in the World, Filipinos Depend on Both Upland and Coastal Forests

  • The Philippines’ coastline is longer than that of many larger countries, and this creates both beauty and vulnerability.
  • Coastal forests & mangroves:
    – Protect communities from storm surges
    – Reduce coastal erosion
    – Support fish nurseries, essential to fisheries that feed the nation
    – Sequester carbon up to 4–5× faster than terrestrial trees
  • Upland forests (like the Sierra Madre):
    – Regulate water flow to coastal areas
    – Prevent sedimentation that smothers mangroves, coral reefs, and fisheries
    – Maintain aquifers that supply drinking water to coastal cities
  • Reforesting uplands is deeply connected to protecting coasts — the systems are interdependent.

4. Climate Change Hits the Philippines First and Hardest

  • The Philippines is:
    – Top 3 globally in climate risk vulnerability
    – Struck by 20+ typhoons annually
    – Experiencing hotter, longer dry seasons and more severe rainfall cycles
  • Trees help stabilize climate by:
    – Cooling local temperatures
    – Increasing rainfall predictability
    – Storing carbon
    – Creating microclimates that support agriculture
  • The Sierra Madre forests are a key part of the Philippines’ climate adaptation strategy.

5. Forests Keep Rivers Alive — and the Philippines Runs on Watersheds

  • The Sierra Madre feeds major rivers such as: Cagayan River, Kaliwa River and Angat Watershed (critical for Metro Manila’s water supply).
  • Trees:
    – Increase water infiltration
    – Reduce siltation in dams
    – Recharge aquifers
    – Ensure stable, long-term water supply
  • Without forests, rivers die — and so do the cities and farms that depend on them.

6. Forests Support Rural Livelihoods and Indigenous Communities

  • Reforestation:
    – Provides employment
    – Strengthens local stewardship of forests
    – Revitalizes Indigenous cultural landscapes
    – Supports ecotourism and sustainable resource use
    – Healthy forests uplift communities who act as guardians of the land.

7. Restoring Lost Forest Cover = Rebuilding the Earth’s Life-Support System

  • The Philippines has lost over 9 million hectares of forests in the last century, with many areas becoming dangerously degraded.
  • Restoring these forests:
    – Prevents desertification
    – Rebuilds soil health
    – Revives pollinators
    – Reconnects fragmented habitats
    – Restores the natural cycle of carbon, water, and life
  • It is essential for the country’s ecological and economic future.

⭐ In summary: Why is planting in the Sierra Madre and the Philippines so important?

Because trees in these landscapes:

  • Save lives
  • Protect cities
  • Preserve biodiversity
  • Secure food and water
  • Limit climate disasters
  • Strengthen coastlines
  • Rebuild ecosystems
  • Support Indigenous and rural livelihoods

Planting trees in the Sierra Madre — and across our archipelago — is an investment in the long-term survival and resilience of the Philippines.

Tree-Nurturing Program with FEED

Immerse yourself in nature and explore our Tree-Nurturing Program in Siniloan, Laguna, nestled within the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges. Witness the untouched beauty of Mother Nature—watch this video for a glimpse of the experience.

Contact info@feed.org.ph or call +63 (0)917 552 4722 to carry out your tree planting today!

(c) Fostering Education and Environment for Development, Inc.