The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) management, spearheaded by PASu Elizabeth Maclang in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Ocean, and Landscapes (USAID SIBOL), carried an outplanting kick-off activity. This is part of the implementation of the Green Recovery Plan (GRP) which was created in response to the damaged areas in the park due to Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021 and the recent 10-hectare forest fire in the area earlier this year. 

The DENR-PENRO Palawan, CENRO Puerto Princesa, local residents and barangay officials of Barangay Cabayugan, Tagabinet, Marufinas, and New Panggangan, Western Philippine University, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Marines, and the Green Recovery Plan Group actively participated in the activity. 2,500 trees, such as Ipil, Lagyuan, Santol Gubat, Kamagong, Bitanghol, White Nato, Amugis, and Apitong, were successfully planted in the 1-hectare area surrounding the park. 

This activity is dedicated to enhancing the Park’s biodiversity and ecosystems services, and to the continued preservation and restoration of its unique habitat for a more sustainable and greener PPSRNP. 

As PENRO Felizardo Cayatoc said in his message that was delivered by Senior Forest Management Specialist Angelica Verian, “Each seedling we plant today is a testament to our determination to create a legacy of environmental stewardship for future generations. It is more than just an environmental initiative, but a profound statement of our values and vision for a sustainable world. By joining hands in this endeavor, we reaffirm our responsibility to protect and cherish our planet.”