The Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines and aDryada sign long-term agreement for one of the country’s largest nature restoration projects

• The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and aDryada, together with its partner Samar Bamboo Corporation today officially signed a long-term agreement to launch one of the most ambitious nature restoration projects in the country
• The Green Samar Project aims to restore the degraded forest area of Samar Island Natural Park, a candidate UNESCO World Heritage Site, while extensively strengthening the parks management and protection capacities and improving the living conditions of more than 20,000 people residing in communities within the park

Manilla, 23rd of June 2026 – The DENR and aDryada, a developer of investment-grade natural infrastructure assets, signed today a Memorandum of Agreement for the Green Samar Project, an initiative that will restore 120,000 hectares (ha) of degraded rainforest within Samar Island Natural Park while strengthening conservation efforts and supporting local communities.

The Samar Island Natural Park (335,000 ha), a candidate UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Philippine Eagle – one of the rarest eagles in the world – is the largest terrestrial protected area in the Philippines and one of the country’s most important old-growth rainforest reserves.

The Green Samar Project is expected to become the first large-scale carbon and ecosystem restoration project implemented within a protected area under the Philippines’ current regulatory framework.

Under the agreement with the DENR, which has an initial term of 25 years with the option to extend for a further 25 years, the Green Samar Project aims to restore 120,000 ha of degraded land within the park through a combination of direct planting of native tree species, assisted natural regeneration, and enrichment planting.

This restoration goes along with three additional engagements by the project:

• Immediate and long-term support for the local population living in the park, notably through job creation (800 to 1000 during the first 7 years), the construction of social infrastructure, the improvement of agriculture practices to increase yield, and a long-term benefit-sharing mechanism. It is estimated that it will improve the living conditions of more than 20,000 people.
• Immediate and substantial strengthening of the Park’s protection and surveillance capacities, both in terms of human resources (including an increase in the ranger capacity) and equipment),
• A Permanent Protection Mechanism, capitalized by carbon credit revenues, to finance conservation measures beyond the project’s crediting period.

Consistent with aDryada’s investment-grade approach to natural infrastructure, the Green Samar Project has been designed to meet the requirements of long-term institutional capital. By combining strong governance, transparency and disciplined risk management, the project aims to create the level of confidence needed to attract and retain investment over its whole duration – an essential condition for delivering restoration and conservation outcomes at scale and over the long term.

To support this objective, the project has been developed in accordance with leading international standards, including the VCS-Abacus methodology for carbon accounting, IFC performance standards for environment and social safeguards, and the Society for Ecological Restoration’s guidelines for biodiversity restoration. Together, these frameworks provide a robust foundation for project quality, accountability and long-term performance.

The project has been developed and is being delivered in collaboration with local partners Samar Bamboo Corporation, and international technical partners, notably Terraformation, ERM, Audax Global and Conserve Int., bringing together expertise in carbon, social and environmental management, strategy and protection/conservation.

Aligned with the Philippines’ biodiversity and carbon strategies, the Green Samar Project aims to contribute significantly to the government’s ambitions for the restoration and protection of protected areas, while supporting the development of high-quality nature restoration initiatives that strengthen resilience to natural disasters and improve local livelihoods. The signing of this agreement also demonstrates the ability of the Philippine regulatory framework to support high-integrity nature and carbon projects, with Green Samar serving as a pioneering model for future initiatives in protected areas.

Juan Miguel Cuna, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said: “The Green Samar Project demonstrates how the Philippines can align environmental protection, community development, and private investment to achieve lasting impact at scale. Our priority is to continue strengthening the regulatory frameworks that enable high-integrity projects, meaning projects that deliver tangible benefits to local communities while providing the clarity, stability, and transparency required by long-term international investors. Green Samar is a pioneering model for nature restoration in protected areas, and we believe its success can pave the way for similar initiatives across the country. The Philippines possesses exceptional natural assets and significant restoration potential, creating a unique opportunity to attract investment that supports both sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.”

Atty. Ernesto D. ADOBO, DENR undersecretary for Legal and administration, said: “Green Samar is an important demonstration of how the Philippines’ environmental and regulatory frameworks can support ambitious, long-term restoration initiatives in protected areas. Through strong oversight, clear governance arrangements, and close collaboration between public and private stakeholders, this project establishes a solid foundation for achieving durable conservation outcomes while delivering tangible social and economic benefits. We are pleased to support an initiative that upholds the highest standards of environmental integrity and responsible investment.”

Fabio Ferrari, CEO of aDryada, said: “Nature is some of the world’s most important infrastructure and deserves to be managed with the same discipline and long-term perspective. That’s what our investment-grade approach is about. Together with the Government of the Philippines and our partners, we’re building a project designed to restore Samar’s forests, strengthen local communities and deliver lasting environmental impact for decades.”

Benjie Picardo, CEO of Samar Bamboo Corporation, said: “As a company deeply rooted in Samar, we are proud to be part of a project that reflects the aspirations of our communities and the extraordinary natural heritage of our island. Green Samar is more than a restoration initiative. It is a long-term commitment to creating opportunities for local people, strengthening livelihoods, and protecting the forests that have shaped Samar’s identity for generations. We are honored to work alongside the Government of the Philippines and aDryada to help deliver a project that can serve as a lasting source of pride and prosperity for our province.”

Allana Montelibano and Atty. Karen Jimeno, Audax Global, Project Convenor and Strategic Partner, said: “The Green Samar Project demonstrates the power of partnership in creating lasting environmental impact. As Project Convenor and Strategic Partner, we are honored to have helped unite government, private sector, and international partners behind a shared vision: restoring forests, empowering communities, and securing a sustainable future for Samar and the Philippines.”