One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Meralco, has marked a major milestone with more than 2.7 million trees planted and nurtured nationwide through its One For Trees program.

The latest activity took place at the UP Laguna-Quezon Land Grant (UP LQLG) in Siniloan, Laguna, where OMF volunteers were joined by Radius Telecoms, MPower, and Rockwell Land Corporation. Together with forest rangers and local partners, the group planted native tree seedlings to rehabilitate the site, which forms part of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

OMF has been working closely with Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc. (FEED) to ensure sustainable conservation in the UP LQLG. Since 2022, more than 200,000 trees have been planted in this area alone, contributing to long-term forest restoration.

FEED Partnerships Director Anne-Marie Bakker expressed optimism about the growing movement of volunteers. “The good news is that there are more and more of you supporting these efforts, and it’s a growing tribe. I hope you will be inspired to keep doing it,” she said.

OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao said the program has built momentum through collective action. “We are truly inspired that One For Trees has been living up to its name of bringing together so many organizations volunteering to plant trees and nurturing them. The program is cultivating a collective resolve of environmental stewardship among partners and even helping the livelihood of communities in our reforestation areas,” he said.

Launched in 2019, One For Trees goes beyond tree planting by ensuring seedlings are nurtured to maturity. The initiative supports local communities by providing forest rangers and residents with livelihood opportunities tied to reforestation activities.

By expanding partnerships with private companies, non-profits, and academic institutions, OMF aims to scale up conservation work across critical watershed areas in the country. The ongoing rehabilitation of the Sierra Madre, a vital natural shield against typhoons, highlights the importance of protecting forests that safeguard both biodiversity and human settlements.

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