On 01 October 2019, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (RO) was awarded a Plaque and Certificate of Recognition for fulfilling its commitment of planting 21,000 seedlings for the 2018 Annual Million Tree Challenge (AMTC) project of the MWSS Corporate Office (CO). MWSS RO participated in the said project primarily to aid in the reforestation of watersheds that are the major sources of Metro Manila’s water supply. MWSS RO Chief Regulator Atty. Patrick Lester N. Ty received the awards on behalf of the agency at the MWSS Bulwagan Hall in Quezon City.

The Annual Million Tree Challenge 2018 Recognition and Pledging ceremony sought to recognize the invaluable efforts of the various organizations from the public and private sectors that partnered with MWSS CO for its 2018 AMTC. The annual tree planting project kicked off in 2017 to celebrate the MWSS’ 140th anniversary; and was spearheaded by MWSS Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman PDDG Reynaldo V. Velasco who wanted the project to be a benchmark for other parts of the country to follow.  The five year program targets to plant at least a million seedlings around the six (6) watersheds that supply Metro Manila with water.

Recognition was given to all organizations that contributed to the success of the 2018 ATMC: local government units, non-government organizations, private companies, and government institutions.

During the event, MWSS CO also presented the AMTC 2.0 — the standard that partners would follow for the year 2019. The AMTC standard for this year will count the number of hectares covered as planting site, instead of the number of trees planted, by each partner. Areas identified by MWSS CO as potential land for tree planting would be adopted and then planted on. Memorandum of Agreements would govern between the MWSS CO and their partners. Planting activities will also be conducted during the rainy season to ensure a high survival rate for the trees planted.

Partner organizations signed and committed new targets for this year’s tree planting. Chief Regulator Ty pledged to plant 55 hectares of land as MWSS RO’s new target for AMTC 2019.

MWSS RO will continue to support the ATMC and work towards exceeding its targets in the coming years.