The National Greening Program had little effect on forest cover in Central Visayas from 2013 to 2019

16 Dec 2025

This study assessed the effectiveness of reforestation efforts in Central Visayas from 2013 to 2019 using satellite imagery (Landsat 8) to track changes in vegetation cover in areas covered by the National Greening Program.

The study found only a small increase in vegetation, with the Normalized Difference in Vegetation Index, a measure of plant health, rising slightly and a 9% increase in dense forest cover (286 hectares) in the sampled areas. Negros Oriental showed the most forest gain (262 hectares), while Cebu lost 29 hectares. On the other hand, tree biomass (the amount of tree material in an area) was highest in Negros Oriental (245 Mg/ha) and lowest in Cebu (78 Mg/ha). Despite planting efforts, there was no significant change in overall forest cover between 2013 and 2019, according to statistical analysis. Among the reasons for no increase in the forest cover are:

  1. The NGP reported planting trees on 42,000 hectares of land, but the expected increase in forest cover did not fully happen.
  2. If all seedlings had survived, forest cover could have grown by 60% in the region.
  3. Issues like low tree survival, land conversion for tourism, illegal logging, and expansion of farms
    may have hindered progress.

Based on the results, it is recommended that:
– Reforestation efforts should be improved by choosing the right tree species and ensuring proper
care.
– Monitoring should be improved using satellite data to track progress accurately.
– Preventing illegal land use and enforcing protection policies to ensure the survival of the planted
trees.

The NGP made some positive changes, but its impact on forest cover was less than expected. Future
reforestation projects should learn from past mistakes, improve monitoring, and ensure better long-term
forest survival.

This study is significant because it evaluates the actual impact of the NGP and whether reforestation efforts have led to real improvements in forest cover over time. Specifically, the study will inform evaluation of reforestation success, data-driven decision-making, policy and program improvement, environmental and socioeconomic impact assessments, and future research and monitoring. Generally, this study underscores the need for more effective, well-monitored, and sustainable reforestation efforts to combat deforestation and climate change while ensuring long-term forest recovery and community benefits.

Authors: Nimfa R. Pansit (Biology Department, Cebu Normal University | Graduate School-Biology Department, University of San Carlos) and Richard B. Parilla (Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.61310/mjst.v22i1.1961

The National Greening Program had little effect on forest cover in Central Visayas from 2013 to 2019

This study assessed the effectiveness of reforestation efforts in Central Visayas from 2013 to 2019 using satellite imagery (Landsat 8) to track changes in vegetation cover in areas covered by the National Greening Program.

The study found only a small increase in vegetation, with the Normalized Difference in Vegetation Index, a measure of plant health, rising slightly and a 9% increase in dense forest cover (286 hectares) in the sampled areas. Negros Oriental showed the most forest gain (262 hectares), while Cebu lost 29 hectares. On the other hand, tree biomass (the amount of tree material in an area) was highest in Negros Oriental (245 Mg/ha) and lowest in Cebu (78 Mg/ha). Despite planting efforts, there was no significant change in overall forest cover between 2013 and 2019, according to statistical analysis. Among the reasons for no increase in the forest cover are:

  1. The NGP reported planting trees on 42,000 hectares of land, but the expected increase in forest cover did not fully happen.
  2. If all seedlings had survived, forest cover could have grown by 60% in the region.
  3. Issues like low tree survival, land conversion for tourism, illegal logging, and expansion of farms
    may have hindered progress.

Based on the results, it is recommended that:
– Reforestation efforts should be improved by choosing the right tree species and ensuring proper
care.
– Monitoring should be improved using satellite data to track progress accurately.
– Preventing illegal land use and enforcing protection policies to ensure the survival of the planted
trees.

The NGP made some positive changes, but its impact on forest cover was less than expected. Future
reforestation projects should learn from past mistakes, improve monitoring, and ensure better long-term
forest survival.

This study is significant because it evaluates the actual impact of the NGP and whether reforestation efforts have led to real improvements in forest cover over time. Specifically, the study will inform evaluation of reforestation success, data-driven decision-making, policy and program improvement, environmental and socioeconomic impact assessments, and future research and monitoring. Generally, this study underscores the need for more effective, well-monitored, and sustainable reforestation efforts to combat deforestation and climate change while ensuring long-term forest recovery and community benefits.

Authors: Nimfa R. Pansit (Biology Department, Cebu Normal University | Graduate School-Biology Department, University of San Carlos) and Richard B. Parilla (Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.61310/mjst.v22i1.1961