West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has officially kicked off its annual tree-planting activity “Plant for Life,” which is part of an extensive reforestation program to help save the Ipo Watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan.
The kickoff was graced by the finalists of the Miss Earth Philippines 2016, who rolled up their sleeves to plant saplings along with Maynilad officials and employee-volunteers.
The company aims to plant 50,000 saplings this year to cover an additional land area of approximately 33 hectares. Since the program’s inception in 2006, Maynilad has planted 417,600 saplings at the Ipo watershed using indigenous trees like narra, acacia, cupang, and apitong.
“Planting trees at the denuded Ipo watershed is a vital part of Maynilad’s overall program to protect the environment and keep our water resources sustainable. We hope to encourage more partners to join us in this effort,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez.
Maynilad’s “Plant for Life” program is done in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government of Norzagaray, National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP), and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
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. Interested parties may call the company’s Environmental Management Department at 981-3484 to inquire about the schedule and requirements.
Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the agent and contractor of the MWSS for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.
Photo: Maynilad officials are joined by Miss Earth Philippines 2016 finalists, Bulacan’s Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources, and NCIP during the Maynilad “Plant for Life” kickoff activity held recently at the Ipo watershed in Bulacan.