On June 23, 2026, personnel of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and employees from 106 business locators within the Freeport participated in a tree planting activity at Pastolan Village, celebrating Arbor Day. A total of 592 volunteers planted 834 saplings of fruit-bearing trees, including jackfruit, cashew, soursop, and lipote, at the Mulawin Bayakan Reforestation Site in Pastolan Village, an ancestral domain of the Aeta Indigenous People within the Subic Bay Freeport.
Event Theme and Objectives
Dubbed “Magtanum Kitamo: Subic Bay’s Arbor Day and Forest Bounty Showcase,” the activity carried the theme “Our Forest, Our Craft, Our Bounty,” highlighting the role of forests in sustaining biodiversity, livelihoods, and community well-being. The event aimed to strengthen forest restoration, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to long-term climate resilience within the Subic Bay Freeport. The fruit-bearing trees are expected to support ecological balance and provide additional food sources and livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Official Statements
SBMA Ecology Center Officer-in-Charge Rossell L. Abuyo emphasized the shared responsibility of government agencies, private sector partners, and communities in environmental protection. “Every tree we plant today is a step toward a greener and healthier Subic Bay. We are grateful for the strong support of our locators and employees who continue to partner with SBMA in protecting the environment and promoting sustainability,” Abuyo said.
SBMA OIC-Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory Group Amethya P. Dela Llana praised the participants, stating in Filipino: “Ang bawat punong itinanim natin ay ambag sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan at sa pagpapanatili ng likas na yaman ng Subic Bay para sa susunod na henerasyon. Dapat nating ipagmalaki na naging bahagi tayo ng gawaing ito para sa ating kapaligiran.” (Every tree we plant is a contribution to environmental care and preserving Subic Bay’s natural resources for future generations. We should be proud to be part of this effort for our environment.)
National Context
Philippine Arbor Day is observed nationwide every June 25 under Republic Act No. 10176, or the Arbor Day Act of 2012, which promotes tree planting and environmental conservation. In line with this observance, communities, local government units, and government agencies across the country continue to implement tree-growing initiatives to address climate change and strengthen environmental sustainability.
