As 2025 draws to a close, the Philippines continues to grapple with what President Marcos has described as the “new normal,” marked by successive weather systems that have triggered torrential rains and widespread flooding, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla said recent extreme rainfall events underscored the scale of climate-driven challenges now confronting the country.

“In the year 2025, which is about to end, the country has experienced what the President has described as the ‘new normal’ brought about by the succession of weather systems that trigger torrential rains and widespread flooding,” he said in his year-end report.

The environment department noted that in Metro Manila alone experienced several severe flooding incidents this year. In Quezon City, 134.2 millimeters of rain were recorded on August 30 even without an active tropical cyclone, nearly equivalent to a week’s worth of rainfall based on monthly normals, per PAGASA. 

In Cebu, Mactan City recorded 183 millimeters of rain from November 3 to 4 during Typhoon Tino, “which was not a super typhoon,” almost equal to one and a half months’ worth of rain for the area.

“These are indications that we are facing extraordinary challenges brought about by the ‘new normal,’” Lotilla said.

He stressed that “these extraordinary challenges require extraordinary interventions—not just by the government, not just by the DENR, but by the whole of society.”

As the year ends, the DENR chief detailed the department’s accomplishments, continuing initiatives, and policy priorities heading into 2026, expressing hope that these efforts would “help Filipinos understand that we would have to work hard on achieving better environmental governance.”

Forest recovery, watershed protection

One of the key highlights of 2025, according to Lotilla, was the Philippines’ recognition by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for an increase in forest cover.

“In 2025, the Philippines was cited by the United Nations specialized agency, the Food and Agriculture Organization, for an increase in our forest cover,” Lotilla said, pertaining to FAO findings covering 2018 to 2020 that showed forest landscape recovery when watershed protection is prioritized.

From 2022 to September 2025, the DENR said it planted 62 million seedlings across nearly 99,000 hectares, focusing on critical watersheds and water-stressed areas, while generating over 760,000 jobs for local communities.

NAMRIA’s 2025 data showed a net forest gain of 53,952 hectares in Luzon, or 1.33 percent since 2020. 

“Please take note that these are net gains. In other words, while we are losing trees, we are reforesting faster,” said Lotilla.

“For the international or global community, therefore, we in the Philippines are showing that it is possible to recover our forests,” he went on.

To sustain these gains, the agency noted that it launched Forests for Life: The 5 Million Trees by 2028 campaign and implemented the Sustainable Forest Land Management Agreement. While the campaign initially targeted five million trees, private-sector participation has pushed projections to 10 million trees.

As such, the DENR reported that it filled more than 2,000 forest ranger positions, though Lotilla acknowledged limitations. 

“The ideal ratio would be one forest ranger for every 1,000 hectares,” he said, noting that the current ratio is closer to one ranger per 7,000 hectares.

“This is why enforcement is a shared responsibility—not only among DENR agencies and regional offices, but also with local government units, communities, law enforcement agencies, and private partners,” he said.

Land titling gains

Land management also advanced during the period. From July 2022 to September 2025, the DENR said it issued more than 63,000 agricultural patents covering over 40,000 hectares, more than 63,000 residential patents, and 3,189 special patents for school sites, LGUs, and national government agencies.

The agency reaffirmed its partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) to complete the surveying and titling of all public school sites by 2028. 

Lotilla said DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara recently recognized the Handog Titulo program, which issued special patents to schools, particularly in Negros Oriental.

These initiatives support the administration’s policy to secure remaining alienable and disposable lands- - -now down to only four percent untitled - - -and modernize land governance systems.

Water security, flood management reforms

Per DENR, water security and flooding emerged as central governance concerns in 2025, prompting a shift from sector-based approaches to an integrated framework.

Through the Water Resources Management Office, the DENR piloted clean water solutions for water-stressed communities. 

In 2024, desalination and filtration systems were completed for six island barangays, while work began in 2025 for 28 more island barangays, with installations scheduled in 2026 to benefit at least 28,000 people.

Flood management reforms also accelerated, with the DENR strengthening inter-agency coordination to align infrastructure projects with river basin plans and integrated water resource strategies.

“Flood mitigation… must begin at the headwaters—with forests, wetlands, and watersheds—not merely at the point where waters overflow,” DENR chief said.

Lotilla said the DENR worked with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon’s team and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to align flood-control infrastructure with nature-based solutions and maximize water use during the rainy season for deployment in dry months.

He also noted that comprehensive review of dredging and quarrying policies was initiated this year, including restrictions on dredging within one kilometer downstream of dams and major infrastructure.

In August 2025, the DENR completed a draft National Flood Master Plan integrating nature-based and grey infrastructure, emphasizing water capture for irrigation, potable supply, aquaculture, and tourism.

“Flood management is not only about removing or diverting water; it is also about capturing it for productive use,” Lotilla said.

Waste management, EPR gains

Lotilla said solid waste management saw clearer accountability in 2025, with more than 12,000 Materials Recovery Facilities now serving 49.3 percent of barangays, while sanitary landfills cover 49 percent of cities and municipalities.

While acknowledging gaps, the DENR said it continues working with LGUs, with regional offices pre-identifying suitable landfill locations.

Under the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, the Philippines achieved a 56.12 percent recovery and diversion rate for plastic packaging in compliance period 2024, exceeding the mandatory 40 percent target. 

As of October 2025, the DENR said compliance reports showed diversion of 120 million kilograms of rigid plastics and 124 million kilograms of flexible plastics.

Enforcement continues, including show-cause orders issued to more than 155 non-compliant establishments, it added.

Biodiversity, oceans, mining reforms

Per DENR, the Philippines now has 251 protected areas covering 7.87 million hectares, including 14 ASEAN Heritage Parks, with Natural Capital Accounting institutionalized under the PENCAS law.

Following the October contamination incident in the Tañon Strait, the DENR deployed assessment teams and coordinated with the Office of the Solicitor General for the filing of a Writ of Kalikasan.

On ocean governance, the agency said the Ocean Environments Task Force was created, with a national policy expected in 2026. 

Also, the DENR said it completed LGU briefings on the Manila Bay Cumulative Impact Assessment, with amendments to Environmental Compliance Certificates now being prepared.

In mining, the DENR said it continues to streamline permits and strengthen regulation of small-scale mining. Since 2022, the department has declared 19 additional Minahang Bayan sites, bringing the total to 67.

While small-scale mining accounts for 24–28 percent of official gold output, Lotilla noted that about 80 percent of production comes from artisanal and small-scale mining, underscoring the need for formalization.

Shared responsibility going into 2026

Lotilla said 2025 showed that environmental governance works best when approached systemically, from forest restoration and water management to marine protection and climate leadership.

While the DENR’s role is largely upstream, he said its impact must be felt “downstream—in communities that rely on clean water, resilient forests, responsible development, and protected ecosystems.”

As the country moves into 2026, the DENR said jt remains committed to refining policies, strengthening coordination, and upholding environmental integrity.

“DENR cannot do this alone,” Lotilla said.