The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), as part of the Ayala Group of Companies, has pledged to actively support the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Forest Management Bureau’s (DENR-FMB) Forests for Life: 5 Million Trees by 2028 program, which aims to grow at least five million indigenous forest trees nationwide from 2025 to 2028.

Ayala Corporation, ACEN, Ayala Land Inc., Globe Telecom Inc., and BPI recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DENR-FMB, reaffirming their commitment to the Forests for Life initiative through tree planting, land allocation, and maintenance efforts.

“We are proud to take part in this program that not only helps rebuild our country’s forests but also strengthens climate resilience and community well-being,” said Jo Ann Eala, Vice President and Head of Sustainability Office. “At BPI, we recognize that environmental sustainability is central to long-term economic stability. Through this partnership, we reinforce our commitment to helping create a greener, more inclusive future for generations to come.”

Through Forests for Life, DENR-FMB will focus its reforestation efforts in six priority areas, including Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Leyte, Bataan, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Norte.

Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla said these areas were chosen “because they represent ecologically critical areas where the impact of our reforestation efforts will be both immediate and long-lasting.”

“Our forests right now stand at around 23 to 24%. By signing this Memorandum of Understanding, we take a decisive step forward and anchor our efforts in strategic landscapes,” Lotilla added.

Launched in March 2025, the Forests for Life program seeks to address forest conservation, biodiversity restoration, and climate change mitigation, while enhancing community livelihood and private-sector engagement.

“With BPI’s extensive branch network, we are in a unique position to turn sustainability into everyday action,” said Dennis Fronda, Head of Branch Stores Channels, BPI. “Through the Forests for Life program, we’re engaging our employees, clients, and communities in restoring our forests and building a more resilient, inclusive future—one rooted in responsible banking.”

While the Ayala Group is a major contributor to the program, the five million trees target will be achieved through collaborative efforts with other stakeholders, ensuring a broader and more sustainable impact nationwide. “Together, we are not simply planting trees, but motivating a future–one where our forests thrive and our stakeholders live in a healthy, prosperous, and resilient society,” Lotilla added.