MWSS’ million trees project on track this year

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said participating agencies and partners of its tree planting project have committed to plant over 1.2 million trees this year.

“I am happy to report that for this year, commitments to the Annual Million Tree Challenge (AMTC) by our partner agencies and other organizations have reached 1,284,500 trees. This is a welcome contribution to our program to sustain our watersheds, particularly during these times of unpredictable weather brought about by climate change and global warming,” MWSS administrator Reynaldo Velasco said.

Among the commitments for 2018 are from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region III, 350,000; MWSS, 100,000; Manila Water/ALKFI (ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc.), 132,000; Maynilad Water, 130,000; Department of Education, 100,000; Angat Hydro Power, 100,000; and World Wide Fund, 50,000. The Free Masons Groups have also pledged their support to the AMTC.

Velasco cited support from the Philippine Water Works Association, which organized last June 22 an activity where 1,000 saplings were planted. This was attended by PWWA officers and board of directors, and students from Arellano University. 

A tree-planting activity was likewise organized by the DENR last June 25.

Launched only last year, AMTC has surpassed its one million trees target in 2017. 

Data from MWSS showed that of this number, MWSS Central Office has planted 2,000 trees; MWSS Regulatory Office, 20,000; DENR Region III, 496,000; DENR Region IV-A, 296,000; DENR National Capital Region, 137,700; World Wide Fund with 43,500 trees planted; and UP Mountaineers, 500.

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad realized its commitment of 130,000 to help save the watersheds from denudation. The tree-planting activity of Maynilad is part of its “Plant for Life” program now being undertaken in support of the AMTC of MWSS. 

Plant for Life was started in 2009 and over 500,000 saplings had been planted by Maynilad and its volunteers at the Ipo Watershed in Bulacan.

East Zone concessionaire Manila Water, on the other hand, in collaboration with ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. has reforested La Mesa Dam.         

Over the past 10 years, their combined efforts resulted in the planting of one million trees in La Mesa watershed. Also, as part of its commitment to the AMTC, Manila Water nurtured and protected 86,000 trees.

Velasco said the AMTC envisions the planting of one million trees for five years in support of the government’s campaign to reforest the country. 

“It is aligned with the government’s Enhanced National Greening Program, one of the priority programs of the DENR. It specifically is for the benefit of six watersheds – Angat, Ipo, La Mesa, Laguna Lake, Marikina and Umiray – vital water resources that need to be protected from floods and other natural disasters,” he added.