ORMOC CITY – To enhance environmental conservation and protect biodiversity, Leyte legislators proposed an ordinance mandating the exclusive use of endemic tree species for all tree planting initiatives in the province.
The proposed move, known as the Leyte Endemic Tree Restoration Ordinance of 2025, aims to formalize the planting of only endemic tree species in response to the pressing need for environmentally sound reforestation and greening initiatives that protect native
biodiversity, repair damaged landscapes, and foster climate resilience.
The proposed ordinance was approved during the 15th regular session of the provincial board and aims to establish a new standard for reforestation and environmental restoration in the province, emphasizing ecological integrity over expediency.
This initiative promotes intergenerational responsibility, ensuring future generations inherit a healthy environment. It aligns with commitments to sustainable development, community empowerment, and cultural integrity. By planting native tree species, the initiative aims to restore forest cover, regenerate ecosystems, and combat climate change through carbon sequestration and flood management, thereby protecting Leyte’s biodiversity and reviving natural habitats.
Accordingly, about 10% of Leyte’s land area is covered by woods, however this is mostly dispersed between plantations and areas of old-growth and secondary forests. Its natural forest cover was 2.66 thousand hectares (kha) in 2020, or 11% of its total land area. Since
2000, the province’s tree cover has decreased by 7.5%.
When fully adopted, the proposed ordinance—which prioritizes ecological integrity over expediency and convenience—is anticipated to establish a new benchmark for reforestation and environmental restoration throughout the province.
The said ordinance was given its third and final reading during the 15th regular session of the provincial board. By By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail OCTOBER 27-NOVEMBER 2, 2025 issue)
