MCWD leads reforestation in Carmen

CEBU, Philippines - The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) has expanded its reforestation program, this time in Luyang Watershed in Carmen, Cebu.

Luyang watershed is the sixth in MCWD’s list of beneficiaries for its corporate social responsibility program.

MCWD has existing reforestation programs in the Kotkot, Combado, Lusaran, Mananga and Buhisan watersheds.

"It is our duty to take care of our watersheds and to lead all efforts to reforest them for the sake of our future generations,” said MCWD Acting General Manager Noel Dalena, in a statement.

Dalena, together with MCWD employees and some volunteers, led the planting of over 1,100 fruit and hardwood seedlings at the Luyang Watershed.

The activity was done in partnership with the Municipality of Carmen, which provided the plant site and volunteers.

MCWD also partnered with the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Cebu Chapter to air radio plugs about tree growing to call more volunteers to participate in the activity.

Fr. Roberto Ebisa, KBP-Cebu Chapter chairman, has commended MCWD for its “act of servitude” to the people of Cebu.

"In an effort to minimize the erosion in the affected areas of the municipality of Carmen, I am hopeful that this tree planting will usher essential impact for the betterment of our community,” said Ebisa, in the same statement.

MCWD, who provides planting sites, also grows seedlings and gave these for free to groups who wish to have their own tree-growing activities.

The water district has also an Adopt-a-Hectare program in partnership with companies to plant and fund the maintenance of the tree growing sites to ensure sustainability.

Carmen was one of the northern towns that was badly hit by a flood brought about by Tropical Depression Crising last April. (FREEMAN)