On 02 July 2025, the MWSS Regulatory Office (RO) was recognized as one of the “Champion of Trees” during the 2025 Annual Million Tree Challenge (AMTC) Recognition and Awarding Ceremony in Quezon City.
Chief Regulator Patrick Lester N. Ty also received the “Kampeon ng Tubig Kanlungan” (Champion of Watersheds) award—a commendation given to individuals for exemplary leadership in protecting water resources.
In his message on behalf of the awardees, Chief Regulator Ty emphasized the importance of reforestation, noting that tree planting enhances biodiversity, mitigates soil erosion, and improves community livelihoods in reforested areas.
The AMTC is a watershed rehabilitation initiative led by the MWSS Corporate Office (CO) and the Million Trees Foundation (MTFI), in line with the government’s Expanded National Greening Program and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Since its inception, the project has resulted in the planting of 8.3 million trees over 7 years and aims to reach 15 million by 2030 to support the rehabilitation of seven critical watersheds: La Mesa, Ipo, Angat, Umiray, Laguna Lake, Upper Marikina, and Kaliwa.
These recognitions affirm the MWSS RO’s ongoing commitment to the AMTC and its mission to safeguard the critical watersheds that supply water to Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, and Cavite.
As part of its 28th anniversary celebration, the MWSS RO has pledged to plant 28,000 seedlings this year in support of the AMTC—a significant contribution toward environmental protection and water resource sustainability.