DENR and Manila Water plant 1,700 seedlings at the La Mesa Watershed

MANILA, Philippines -To promote environmental awareness, protection and sustainability, Ayala-led Manila Water has linked arms with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region (DENR) and the La Mesa Watershed Multi-Sectoral Management Council (LMWMMC) to rehabilitate portions of the La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City. 

Manila Water headed by its operations group director Geodino Carpio  joined the DENR-NCR and the LMWMMC in planting 1,700 seedlings of native forest trees such as Batino, Bitaog, Supa and Banaba within a four-hectare portion of the watershed. 

“Manila Water is very honored to be part of this environmental sustainability program that will benefit our people and our future generation,” Carpio said, adding that the event is also part of Manila Water’s commitment to protect the watersheds which are critical to its service delivery.  

With a total area of 2,700 hectares, the La Mesa Watershed is the last remaining forest of its size in Metro Manila, and along with a 367-hectare man-made lake inside the reservoir forms part of the vital water supply link to the East Zone’s more than six million Metro Manila residents as more than 1.5 million liters of water pass through the reservoir every day.

This watershed also serves as a carbon sink and sanctuary to many indigenous species of flora and fauna.  

To ensure the protection of these critical watersheds, Manila Water will continue to undertake tree planting and nurturing activities in collaboration with MWSS, DENR, and partners from academe, civic and private corporations.  

Manila Water is the concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) providing water and wastewater services to Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, San Juan, portions of Quezon City and Manila and several towns of the nearby province of Rizal.