Water concessionaire amplifies tree planting campaign

MANILA, Philippines — West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. targets to plant 100,000 tree saplings and mangrove propagules over a land area of approximately 47 hectares this year.

The activity dubbed “Plant for Life” forms part of Maynilad’s efforts to help reforest vital watersheds and prevent calamities such as land erosion and flooding.

Since the program’s inception in 2007, Maynilad has planted more than 630,000 trees and mangroves at the Ipo Dam, Laguna Lake and Malabon watersheds, as well as along coastal areas of Manila Bay.

These initiatives are also being done in support of the “Annual Million Trees Challenge” of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, which aims to plant one million trees yearly for five years to protect six critical watersheds.

“One of the best steps we can take to protect our water sources is to plant trees on denuded lands. Trees help with the soil’s water retention, thus preventing the soil erosion that causes high turbidity levels in our raw water supply,” Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said.

“Plant for Life” is being held in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the local government of Norzagaray, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Volunteers are welcome to participate in Maynilad’s series of tree-planting activities, which is held every year between the months of June and November.