MANILA, Philippines - The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), in partnership with McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken and the municipal government of Taytay, Rizal conducted recently a tree-planting activity at Brgy. Santa Ana, Taytay, Rizal billed as “Laguna de Bay, It’s so Good, kaya Love Ko to.”
The tree planting activity was carried out as part of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the rehabilitation of the Laguna de Bay watershed, which was signed by the LLDA, Taytay municipal government, McDonald’s and KFC.
The tree planting is in line with President Aquino’s National Greening Program and LLDA’s Watershed Rehabilitation Program.
Secretary Neric Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) general manager, expressed optimism on the joint activity.
“I believe in the power of public-private partnerships in advancing environmental protection in the country. Together we can achieve our common goal of having clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and a safe and balanced environment,” he said.
Acosta praised McDonald’s and KFC for teaming up with LLDA in the reforestation program. “I hope that other companies will be enticed to follow what McDonald’s and KFC are now doing so that they too can be part of environmental protection,” he stated.
“Indeed, we strongly encourage companies to exercise their corporate environmental responsibility,” Acosta added.
With the agency’s slogan, “Ibalik ang Diwa ng Lawa,” LLDA stands firm in addressing the many problems that afflict Laguna de Bay.
LLDA believes that the people themselves can bring about lasting changes that will restore the watershed and its bodies of water, especially those that compromise the Laguna Lake so it can once again provide livelihood and nourishment to the people around the lake for now and generations to come.