The Department of Environment and Nautral Resources (DENR) is expanding efforts to preserve the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) to protect its watersheds and ensure the sustainable management of its natural resources. The protected area covers 26,125.64 hectares in the city of Antipolo and in the municipalities of Baras, Rodriquez, San Mateo and Tanay, all in the province of Rizal. The DENR-Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB) plans to accelerate the reforestation of the UMRBPL by planting three million trees for the next three years to increase the forest cover to 43 percent from nearly 25 percent.

Wider Marikina forest cover to protect wildlife. (2025, July 29). Manila Standard, p. C1.