PPA hits 20 million trees planted, ramps up shift to low-carbon operations
22 APRIL 2026 – In celebration of Earth Day 2026, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced that over 20 million trees have been planted under the Agency’s Green Port Strategy, as part of its Port Environmental Policy launched in 2020 to ensure that port development minimizes environmental impact while promoting long-term sustainability.
From 2020 to 2025, a total of 20,297,821 trees and mangroves have been planted under PPA’s program, contributing to carbon absorption, coastal protection, and biodiversity conservation, alongside the development of carbon sink areas within port zones. Complementing these efforts, a total of 1.23 million kilograms of waste has been collected from port operations from 2016 to 2025, and with over 286,000 kilograms gathered through clean-up drives across various PPA ports.
As a result of these initiatives, PPA and several of its ports received recognition under the Green Port Award System (GPAS), an environmental recognition program of the APEC Port Services Network (APSN). Recognized ports include Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, and General Santos, as well as the Manila International Container Terminal and Manila South Harbor.
The agency also continues to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to enhance sustainability and disaster resilience. In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the agency supports the use of air-to-water systems in ports, an innovative solution that can generate potable water and be utilized during emergencies and disaster response.
This summer season, the agency is also advancing low-carbon operations through the use of hybrid and electric equipment, energy-efficient lighting, and solar-powered systems. Select ports have also adopted Shore-Based Power Supply (SBPS), allowing vessels to plug into onshore electricity to reduce emissions while docked.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago emphasized that sustainability remains a key pillar of port modernization. “This Earth Day, we are reminded that every port we build and every operation we run has an impact on the environment. From planting over 20 million trees to advancing waste reduction and energy conservation, the PPA demonstrates that progress does not come at the expense of our environment,” he said.
Through sustained stakeholder engagement and active participation in global environmental campaigns such as Earth Hour and Earth Day, PPA reinforces its commitment to fostering a culture of sustainability among port users, personnel, and surrounding communities. These initiatives underscore PPA’s continuing push to integrate sustainability into port modernization, transforming Philippine ports into greener, more resilient gateways while strengthening environmental responsibility across its operations.
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