The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has officially kicked off its 2026 tree-planting program by planting 223 native saplings near Mt. Susung Dalaga in Barangay Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac, marking the beginning of a two-month initiative that aims to plant 2,000 trees throughout July and August.
A Promising Start for the 2026 Tree-Planting Program
The BCDA workforce, led by OIC Senior Vice President for Conversion and Development Engr. Mark P. Torres, spearheaded this "Thousand Trees for One Clark" activity, planting saplings of Philippine native species including narra, molave, bani, banaba, tibig, and alagao . By scheduling these planting activities during the rainy season, the agency aims to optimize the survival rate and long-term growth of these saplings, building on past successes that have achieved an impressive 80 percent survival rate from previous planting efforts . This initiative is part of BCDA's ongoing commitment to reforestation and biodiversity restoration in the region.
Building a Sustainable Future for New Clark City
This year's program is a continuation of BCDA's broader commitment to integrate environmental stewardship with sustainable urban development, which earned the agency recognition as a Sustainability Champion at The Manila Times' inaugural Sustainability Champions Awards in 2025 . Since 2019, BCDA has spearheaded various reforestation efforts, including the "100 Trees for 100 Days" campaign ahead of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, as well as partnerships with the Tourism Promotions Board and other organizations . The tree-planting initiatives support New Clark City's vision as the country's first green, smart, and disaster-resilient metropolis, where 60 percent of the land is dedicated to forests, green spaces, and parks .
