The Department of Environment and Natural Resources celebrated its 38th anniversary on June 20, 2025, at the DENR Multi-Purpose Hall in Quezon City, with Secretary Raphael Lotilla highlighting the department’s extensive history and ongoing environmental initiatives under this year’s theme “Our Planet, Our Power.”
During his address to department officials, Secretary Lotilla traced the DENR’s institutional roots back to 1916, when the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources was established. The Secretary noted that core bureaus—Bureau of Lands, Bureau of Mines, and Bureau of Forestry—date back even further to 1900, making the department’s institutional age 110 years by 2026.
“We have a long history and we have a long tradition,” Secretary Lotilla told the gathering of Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Directors, and Regional Executive Directors. He referenced the 1899 Malolos Constitution’s provisions on conservation and protection of national patrimony, emphasizing that environmental stewardship has deep roots in Philippine governance.
Key 2025 environmental achievements
The anniversary celebration highlighted several significant accomplishments this year. The DENR successfully closed all remaining illegal open dumpsites nationwide, completing the long-standing mandate of Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The department also developed the country’s first list of non-environmentally acceptable products, starting with plastic straws and coffee stirrers.
The Enhanced National Greening Program continues with the “Forests For Life: 5 Million Trees by 2028” initiative, targeting critical landscapes in Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Leyte, Bataan, Bukidnon, and Davao del Norte. The program aims to sequester 3.5 million tons of carbon by 2038 while supporting community livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.
Water quality management efforts include ongoing river dredging activities in major waterways such as the Cagayan, Pasig, Tullahan, and Marikina Rivers, along with invasive species removal from Pasig River and Laguna de Bay. The Manila Bay rehabilitation program continues with geo-engineering solutions, beach nourishment, and installation of solar-powered sewage treatment plants.
Technology integration and international partnerships
A notable development has been the establishment of the Geospatial Database Office, which partners with the Philippine Space Agency to create a comprehensive national environment and natural resources database using satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, and geographic information systems.
The DENR has mobilized over $278 million in foreign-funded projects for biodiversity, climate change, and environmental programs through partnerships with countries including Japan, Australia, the United States, South Korea, and Canada, as well as organizations like the Global Environment Facility and the European Union.
The Philippines now protects 10 Wetlands of International Importance, including the recently designated Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve in Zamboanga Sibugay. The country also hosted the 4th board meeting of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, strengthening its role in international climate finance.
Future planning and workforce development
Secretary Lotilla emphasized succession planning and human resource development as priorities, outlining programs for filling vacant positions, absorbing qualified contractual employees, and providing comprehensive training for career officers. He noted demographic projections showing the Philippines will maintain a 60% working-age population by 2055, unlike many countries facing workforce decline.
“We need to strengthen the organization to deliver its mandate not only for this administration but to ensure succeeding administrations will have a strong organization to rely on,” the Secretary said.
The DENR leads the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation-Disaster Risk Reduction and has launched Project TRANSFORM in Metro Manila, which promotes collaboration among local governments, communities, private sector, and academia for climate resilience initiatives.
Environment month activities
The anniversary celebration coincided with Philippine Environment Month activities, including the DENR’s 30 Days Environment Challenge throughout June, which culminated in World Environment Day on June 5. These programs focus on community engagement and environmental awareness at the grassroots level.
The department continues implementing chemical control orders for hazardous substances, building on previous success with lead paint bans that earned international recognition. Forest protection efforts include anti-illegal logging operations and forest fire prevention programs across priority areas.
Secretary Lotilla concluded by emphasizing the department’s stewardship role and responsibility to future generations. “We are only stewards and we must live up to the responsibilities that have been given to us,” he said, noting the obligation to pass on the country’s natural resources in better condition for future Filipinos.
The celebration reinforced the DENR’s commitment to environmental protection while acknowledging both its historical mandate and contemporary challenges in natural resource management and climate change adaptation.
