The MWSS Regulatory Office (RO) is committed to plant 26,000 trees this year in celebration of its 26th anniversary. This effort is part of the Office’s mission to increase the forest cover in watersheds that support and maintain the water supply within the Concession Areas.
To mark the start of the series of tree planting activities lined up for the year, the MWSS RO held a kick off event titled, “Tree Planting 2023: 26K Trees for the 26 Years” on 10 August 2023 at Mount Purro Nature Reserve in Barangay Calawis, Antipolo City, Rizal. This was attended by representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Provincial and Natural Resources Office Region IV-A, MWSS Corporate Office, and Kapisanang Balik Kalikasan Inc. (KABALIKAT).
During the event, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between the MWSS RO and KABALIKAT to improve the existing vegetation of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape through planting a variety of native tree species. The MOA covers the maintenance and protection of these trees, ensuring sustainable growth for the planted seedlings and mutual commitments. MWSS RO Chief Regulator Patrick Lester Ty and KABALIKAT Chairperson Edwin Delos Reyes signed the MOA, with witnesses including MWSS RO Senior Public Utility Regulation Officer and Environmental Committee Chairperson Renato Rodriguez, and DENR Region IV-A Forest Extension Officer Christiana Javier.
Earlier this year, the MWSS RO was recognized as one of the “Champion of Trees” by the MWSS Corporate Office and the Million Trees Foundation during the Annual Million Tree Challenge (AMTC) Recognition and Awarding Ceremony. From 2017 to 2022, the MWSS RO consistently met annual tree planting targets, successfully cultivating over 100,000 seedlings.