Participation and empowerment of citizens are essential to ensuring that greening initiatives are not only successful but also sustainable. These concepts give people the ability to take control of their environmental futures while highlighting the significance of actively involving the community in environmental actions. While engagement aims to promote participation and collaboration within greening programs, empowerment guarantees that people have the knowledge, abilities, and authority to take the lead and make decisions regarding environmental matters (Boadi et al., 2019; Raven et al., 2016). 

Women, in particular, have been acknowledged for their significant contributions to sustainable development through active participation in environmental efforts and community decision-making. Women were found to be involved in various stages of the program, from seedling production to forest protection. Their cooperation not only improved the National Greening Programs (NGPs) efficiency, but also promoted inclusive decision-making at the local level. Fostering a stronger sense of ownership and sustainability in target communities. Collaborations between institutions such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and UN Women have resulted in impactful programs like the "EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies Programme." This initiative aims to bring gender equality to the forefront of climate action by providing women with the knowledge and tools they need to actively participate in climate resilience planning. In the Philippines, women have played an important role in the National Greening Program (NGP), accounting for more than 30% of reforestation activities (Goltiano et al., 2021). This involvement extends beyond tree planting; it has strengthened the communitys involvement by promoting more inclusive and sustainable practices. It is obvious that initiatives that include women are more effective and resilient. On a global scale, efforts are underway to promote womens participation in environmental decision-making. For example, the United Nations has established a goal of having women hold 30% of decision-making positions in climate action by 2030, indicating a rising commitment to gender parity in climate change mitigation (UN Women, 2021).

Beyond the National Greening Program (NGP), additionally, programs demonstrated the value of womens empowerment in environmental governance. The Haribon Foundations “Women Go” project, for example, specifically aimed to increase womens leadership in the governance of protected areas (Haribon Foundation, 2020).

However, the lack of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the specific impact of womens participation on the success and long-term sustainability of the NGP represents a significant gap in the study. This limits the understanding of how their involvement directly contributes to measurable environmental, social, and economic outcomes. It was for the aforementioned reasons that this study was conducted. It was best interest of the Department of Environment and the Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (CaPENRO), as well as its women partners to determine the the impact of womens engagement and empowerment in the National Greening Program (NGP) and how their participation can make the program more effective while also encouraging more inclusive decision-making within local communities. Throughout the program, women have played key roles, from growing seedlings to helping protect forests. Their active involvement has not only made the program run more smoothly but has also helped ensure that decisions are made collectively, giving everyone a sense of ownership and helping to build stronger, more sustainable communities.

The main objective of this study was to determine womens engagement and empowerment as insights into the National Greening Program (NGP).

The research design used in this study was a quantitative approach, employing a descriptive correlational design. The descriptive method was applied to gather information on the current status of the phenomena under investigation and to describe the variables or conditions involved. 

Furthermore, the research method determined the womens engagement and empowerment, and the success of sustainable implementation in the National Greening Program. By utilizing a correlational design, the study explored how variations in womens involvement in the program correlated with the effectiveness of conservation efforts and long-term sustainability outcomes. This approach was particularly useful in understanding the influence of factors such as economic empowerment, educational attainment, and community participation on the success of the greening program.

This study was conducted in eight (8) municipalities in the province of Capiz, namely: Tapaz, Dumarao, Jamindan, Mambusao, President Roxas, Dumalag, Pilar, and Cuartero. All the data and analyses were compiled and processed at the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Province of Capiz, located in Lanot, Roxas City.

The respondents were the 256 women partners selected from a total of 2,052 women who participated in the Upland National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources across 10 municipalities in the Province of Capiz. The respondents were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling.

The primary research instrument used to gather the necessary data was a researcher-made questionnaire, which was designed based on two key theories that aligned with the studys objectives. The Womens Economic Empowerment Theory of Change was used to assess economic sustainability, as well as a particular focus on social sustainability. For environmental sustainability, Rolstons Economic Sustainability Model, (1994) was employed. The questions were carefully formulated to capture the various dimensions of empowerment and engagement, ensuring that they directly addressed the core elements of each theory and the specific context of the NGP. In order to provide a full understanding of womens role in sustainable development, it determined the relationships between economic empowerment, social participation, and environmental involvement. The instrument was presented for content validation to a panel of experts in the fields of environmental management, education, and research. All suggestions, recommendations, and comments were considered in the revision of the instrument. It was pre-tested to 30 respondents from Dumalag, Capiz, who were not part of the final study in order to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. These respondents were members of the community where the National Greening Program was implemented in calendar year 2007. Data from the pre-test were tabulated, and the reliability coefficient was computed using the Alpha method. Cronbachs alpha was used to determine the reliability coefficient. 

The data gathering was conducted by the researcher with the assistance of the Forest Extension Officers and other Contract of Service personnel assigned to the National Greening Program of DENR-PENRO Capiz. A request for their assistance was submitted to the Head of Office at DENR PENRO Capiz and subsequently approved. The questionnaires were personally distributed to the respondents, along with proper instructions for their guidance. For elderly respondents and those few who are unable to read and write, the researcher personally assisted them and asked the questions to enable them to give their truthful answers for each question.

The study measured the level of engagement and empowerment of women partners towards the National Greening Program (NGP) using descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage standard deviation and mean. The frequency count and percentage were employed to determine the profile of the respondents. The mean was used to assess the level of engagement and empowerment of women partners on the greening program. To facilitate analysis of the respondents engagement and empowerment, the raw data were scored and given their respective verbal interpretation.

This study followed ethical guidelines to ensure that the research process was clear and that the well-being of the participants was protected. Before starting data collection, each participant was fully informed that taking part in the study was completely voluntary, and they were free to withdraw at any time without any negative consequences. As for the senior citizens, they were given an assistance to help in understand the study details. They were provided with a clear explanation of the studys goals, purpose, and rights. They were encouraged to ask questions and raise any concerns before agreeing to participate. This helped ensure that all participants gave their informed consent, meaning they understood the study and what it would involve. The information gathered was used only for the purposes of the study. The study followed the Data Privacy Act (Republic Act No. 10173) to ensure that all personal information was handled responsibly. The researcher made sure that personal data were kept safe and secure, preventing unauthorized access, misuse, or sharing.

The result revealed varying degrees of participation among respondents, ranging from minimal to highly active involvement. With the grand mean score of 4.45, this indicates a highly engaged level of engagement. Their high level of participation reflects a strong commitment to environmental conservation and the sustainable development objectives advocated by the program. This high level of engagement reflects significant progress toward achieving social sustainability within the community, as indicated by the mean score of 4.46, interpreted as “Highly Engaged.” The active involvement of women in the National Greening Program (NGP) strengthens social cohesion, fosters a collective sense of environmental responsibility, and empowers local stakeholders to participate in decision-making processes that affect their surroundings.

This observation agrees with the findings of Pretty, (2019) who emphasized that collective management of resources significantly enhances social capital and community resilience. Similarly, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA, 2020) affirmed that community engagement is vital for building inclusive and sustainable societies.

The respondents high level of engagement not only supports ecological restoration but also nurtures stronger, more sustainable community relationships, which are recognized as essential pillars of social sustainability. In terms of economic sustainability, several factors contributed to the very high level of engagement, as indicated by the mean score of 4.47.

This finding is supported by favorable outcomes showing that women actively participated in various initiatives led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other agencies aimed at promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly livelihood programs. This also affirms the findings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (2019), which reported that the NGP was instrumental in creating livelihood opportunities alongside reforestation efforts.

Moreover, women acknowledged that the NGP contributed to sustainable food security and actively participated in training sessions integral to the project and related to integrated livelihood initiatives designed to assist NGP beneficiaries, as documented by Israel and Lintag, (2019). Similarly, the Food and Agriculture Organization, (2018) highlighted that womens involvement in sustainable agriculture initiatives significantly boosts food security and economic stability in rural areas.

Building on the strong foundation of economic sustainability, the engagement of community members, particularly women, in sustainable livelihood activities has also significantly contributed to environmental sustainability. Their active participation in environmentally friendly farming practices, resource management, and reforestation efforts reflects a growing awareness of the critical link between economic wellbeing and ecological preservation. 

This agrees with the study of Israel and Lintag, (2019) which highlighted that the National Greening Program not only focused on environmental restoration but also on creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities. Similarly, this affirms the findings of the Food and Agriculture Organization, (2018) which emphasized that empowering women through sustainable agriculture strengthens both food security and environmental management. 

Their active involvement in social, economic, and environmental dimensions of the program demonstrates that empowering women leads to comprehensive benefits, not only for their families but for the broader community as well. The results of the study point to meaningful involvement of community members in environmental initiatives, suggesting a favorable environment for fostering long-term ecological practices. Such participation implies that local populations are not only aware of environmental issues but are also willing to contribute to addressing them through organized efforts. 

This level of involvement may encourage stronger institutional collaboration, improve the efficiency of resource use, and enhance the sense of shared responsibility among stakeholders. It also indicates potential for integrating environmental programs into broader local development plans, where active citizen participation can lead to more adaptive and resilient strategies. This implies that strong community engagement can be a vital force in ensuring the lasting success of environmental programs.

This is consistent with the study of Bennett et al. (2018) who argued that active stewardship and community participation are essential drivers of sustainable development.

Considering the entire group of 256 women respondents, the data presented indicates that their overall mean score regarding their level of empowerment in the National Greening Program in Capiz province was 4.38. This score suggests that the women respondents perceive their level of empowerment as "Highly Empowered." It was significantly empowered and actively engaged in the National Greening Program within the province.

Looking at the mean scores across the three key aspects of empowerment social sustainability, economic sustainability, and environmental sustainability the scores range from 4.33 to 4.41. These scores are relatively close to each other, indicating consistency of how empowered the respondents feel across different areas of empowerment. This uniformity suggests that their sense of empowerment is well-rounded and spans various areas of the program, showing that women are not only feeling empowered socially but also economically and environmentally.

The close range of scores (4.33 to 4.41) across social, economic, and environmental sustainability indicates that women are feeling empowered not only in their social roles but also in their economic contributions and environmental conservation. 

This broad-based empowerment implies that the NGP is not only promoting environmental goals but also supporting gender inclusion and equity. Specifically, the strong economic empowerment scores may reflect increased access to livelihood opportunities, while high social empowerment points to improved participation in group activities and community engagement. Likewise, environmental empowerment reflects their active role in ecological preservation. These outcomes suggest that the NGP can serve as a model for integrating womens empowerment into environmental programs, thereby maximizing both ecological and social impact. This highlights the importance of designing future sustainability programs with a gender-inclusive framework that supports womens roles in leadership, economic participation, and environmental stewardship.

The result of the statistical analysis indicated that level of engagement was a significant predictor of level of empowerment. The statistically significant result, with a t-value of 0.900 and a p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), indicates a strong relationship between the respondents level of engagement and their perceived empowerment in the National Greening Program (NGP). This implies that as women become more actively involved in program activities such as planning, implementation, and monitoring they are more likely to develop a sense of ownership, confidence, and influence within their communities. Specifically, higher engagement may lead to greater access to information, increased participation in decision-making, and the development of leadership skills. These findings highlight the importance of designing environmental programs that not only involve women as participants but also provide them with meaningful roles and responsibilities. Empowerment, in this context, is a direct outcome of active engagement, suggesting that programs aiming to uplift women and build sustainable communities must prioritize inclusive and participatory approaches at every level.

The findings of this study suggest that the level of empowerment among respondents is significantly influenced by their level of engagement in national greening program. The results of the statistical analysis reveal that there is a significant relationship between these two variables. Specifically, the analysis yielded a t-value of 0.900 and a p-value of 0.000, which is below the conventional significance threshold of 0.05. This indicates that the association observed is statistically significant and unlikely to have occurred by chance.

The findings suggest that women who are more actively involved in the activities of the NGP tend to exhibit higher levels of empowerment. This relationship underscores the importance of engagement as a crucial factor in fostering empowerment among women, particularly within the context of environmental initiatives.

When women participate more actively, they are likely to develop greater confidence, acquire new skills, and increase their awareness about environmental issues and their rights, all of which contribute to their overall empowerment. Furthermore, these results imply that encouraging greater participation and involvement of women in programs like the NGP can have a positive impact on their empowerment. It highlights the need for policymakers and program implementers to design strategies that facilitate active engagement, such as providing accessible opportunities, capacity-building activities, and inclusive participation mechanisms.

By doing so, they can enhance womens empowerment, which in turn can lead to more sustainable environmental outcomes and community development. The researcher utilized OxFam Canadas Womens Economic Empowerment Theory of Change to determine economic sustainability, alongside social sustainability. In terms of environmental sustain-ability, the study utilized Rolstons Economic Sustainability Model, (1994). The results of the study align closely with the theoretical framework underpinning this research. OxFam Canadas Womens Economic Empowerment Theory of Change emphasizes that true economic empowerment is not solely about increased income but also about enhancing womens decision-making capacities, leadership roles, and access to resources.

The findings, which showed a "Highly Empowered" level of empowerment and engagement in terms of economic and social sustainability, reflect the core assumptions of this framework, particularly the importance of enabling women to control household finances, share livelihood knowledge, and actively participate in community initiatives.

Despite their relatively low income levels, the respondents strong involvement in decision-making and skills-sharing activities underscores the broader definition of empowerment posited by OxFam Canada, which views empowerment as a process of building capacities and agency rather than solely economic gains.

Furthermore, environmental sustainability results are anchored in Rolstons Economic Sustainability Model, (1994) which highlights the interconnectedness of environmental stewardship with social and economic systems. The womens active participation in tree planting and their high engagement scores demonstrate their commitment to conservation practices, consistent with Rolstons model that stresses sustainable interaction with natural resources.

However, the slightly lower engagement in legal advocacy roles suggests that while the participants are contributing positively to environmental sustainability through direct action, there are gaps in institutional empowerment that need to be addressed.

Together, these frameworks helped the researcher interpret the levels of empowerment and sustainability engagement comprehensively, illustrating that empowerment processes must integrate economic, social, and environmental dimensions to achieve true, long- term development.

In summary, the study demonstrates a clear link between engagement in environmental programs and womens empowerment. The more women are involved in such initiatives, the more empowered they become both as individuals and as active contributors to their communities and society at large. This emphasizes the importance of fostering active participation to promote gender equality and sustainable development goals within environmental programs.

Insights to Sustainable Implementation

The analysis of the results and literature provides several critical insights for the sustainable implementation of community-based natural resource management and gender-inclusive development initiatives, especially the National Greening Program (NGP) fosters active and equitable participation of community members, particularly women in the long-term success of the project. It also highlights womens ownership, decision-making, and accountability of the project implementation. Integrating gender perspectives in the NGP promotes social justice but also enhances the sustainable implementation of resource management, with womens participation that leads to more innovative and resilient solutions.

Empowering women in leadership roles has been closely linked to improved environmental stewardship, stronger climate adaptation capacities, and more robust rural economies (Miller & Robinson, 2020; Thompson & Thomas, 2021; Gonzalez & White, 2024). Moreover, the presence of conflict management mechanisms in NGP sustainable implementation that addressed resource competition and local power dynamics for collaborative and sustainable governance among women.

Policy support and robust institutional frameworks are also crucial for success, particularly those that secure womens land rights, expand access to financial services, and institutionalize gender-responsive practices (World Bank, 2024; Quisumbing & Meinzen-Dick, 2018).

Women knowledge and co-production through civic science approaches further strengthens sustainability outcomes by combining local expertise with scientific knowledge provided by the DENR, NGOs, and CAPENRO enhanced legitimacy sustainability.

Economic diversification in the community through sustainable agriculture, eco- tourism, and community enterprises will significantly contribute to resilience and reduces dependency on vulnerable ecosystems.

Lastly, gender-responsive strategies for climate change adaptation through NGP are essential, with women-led initiatives demonstrating a strong capacity to build adaptive and sustainable livelihoods under changing environmental conditions (Fletcher & Sutherland, 2023; Wang & Chen, 2023).

These insights collectively underscore the importance of a holistic, inclusive, and gender-responsive approach in ensuring the sustainable implementation of the NGP.

Women respondents in the province of Capiz exhibit a high engagement in the National Greening Program (NGP) across social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Their active participation in consultative meetings, livelihood initiatives, and environmental conservation activities highlights a strong commitment to sustainable community development. Correspon-dingly, the empowerment in social, economic, and environmental aspects significantly contribute in enhancing their decision-making capacities, leadership skills, and involvement in resource management. However, despite demonstrating high economic empowerment, many respondents continue to experience limited financial gains. Moreover, women engage in nurturing activities like tree planting showed lower involvement in legal advocacy and mediation processes, pointing to knowledge gaps and a lack of confidence in engaging formal environmental governance mechanisms that limit their capacity-building initiatives on legal literacy and environmental advocacy. Sustainable implementation in National Greening Program (NGP) fosters participation, suggesting building systems that invest consistently in womens education, leadership training, access to financial services, and legal empowerment. Environmental initiatives must embed gender-responsive frameworks that remove obstacles to womens full engagement and leadership. Moreover, strengthening community-based structures, promoting inclusive decision-making, and linking livelihood development with environmental stewardship are essential strategies in various multidimensional needs.

The researcher expresses appreciation to those who supported this research, specifically to the respondents, and Capiz State University Roxas City Main Campus.

The author declares no conflict of interest.