AT least 130,000 trees have been planted by Metro Manila west zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. in 2017 as part of its “plant for life” program designed to save vital watersheds from denudation.
In support of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s “annual million tree challenge,” the “plant for life” program has tapped volunteers to do reforestation and afforestation activities.
In 2017 alone, over 1,463 volunteers from Maynilad and its partner organizations planted a total of 116,000 indigenous trees at the Ipo Watershed in Bulacan, 2,000 saplings in Muntinlupa, and 12,000 mangrove propagules along the Manila Bay coastline in Cavite.
“Our plant for life program seeks to protect forest cover so that the watersheds, which sustain our water supply needs, will stay healthy and balanced,” Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ramoncito Fernandez said in a statement.
“This year, we’re looking into expanding the program’s coverage to other areas, particularly in Malabon City where we target to plant about 50,000 mangrove propagules,” he added.
Since the program’s inception in 2007, Maynilad has already planted over 436,000 saplings, using indigenous trees like narra, cupang, camachile and acacia, at the Ipo watershed.
Maynilad welcomes volunteers who wish to plant trees in watershed areas, saying they may call the company’s environmental management department at 981-3484.
