Two and counting: MTFI assured of continued support from partners

TWO years after its establishment, Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) led by Chairman Emeritus PDDG Reynaldo V. Velasco (ret) and President Melandrew T. Velasco together with representatives from institutional partners and stakeholders inaugurated the foundation’s phase 2 projects at the La Mesa Watershed in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Chairman Rey Velasco and MTFI President Mel Velasco joined in by MWSS Chairman Vega and MWSS Administrator Cleofas.

then he replied and said, ‘Yes, I know who you are.’ ‘I’ve always known about you I carried you in my arms when you were born.’ My jaw dropped & the rest is history,” she added.

Lotlot said that she’s grateful to finally meet her father.

“Each of us have a story. Marami din tayong plano sa buhay. Pero ang plano pa din ni Papa God ang mangingibabaw,” she said.

“So here I am standing side by side with my Papa and I’m grateful in many ways. Forgiveness, humility and prayers goes a long way. If not for the decisions they made.. the time they made it. I wouldn’t have the people I love most in my life too now. Looking at the glass half full with gratitude. Always,” she added. g

The occasion also marked the first anniversary of the Million Trees Nursery and Eco-Learning Center in the five-hectare area of the watershed compound leased by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to MTFI for 15 years. The ribbon cutting was followed by the opening of Splash Tree, a visual art exhibit that showcased the works of Janddie Castillo who is known as “Master of Splash Art” for his unique art style and technique.

MWSS Administrator Cleofas delivered the welcome remarks where she also reported that out of the 1.7 million trees pledged in 2022 for the Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC), 1.2 million trees have been planted. This constitutes a portion of the 10 million more trees target by 2030.

MTFI is the official NGO partner of MWSS to ensure the continuity of AMTC and expand its coverage throughout the country.

In his remarks, MTFI President and CEO Melandrew T. Velasco spoke about the accomplishments of the Foundation for the past two years. He shared that there are now 500 members of MTFI’s Green Army Brigade and the Foundation together with partner stakeholders have planted 20,000 trees inside the La Mesa Watershed area. Other accomplishments are: the completion of the SMC Multi Center (Eddie’s Green Barn) which was inaugurated last October 23, 2022; construction and completion of new rest rooms, staff house, and green houses. During the same period, MTFI procured Philippine native trees, ornamental plants, fruit-bearing trees and vegetables. It also undertook improvement works on the MTFI grounds and procured garden tools, wooden swing, mango table and bahay kubos and new landscaping for beautification of the area.

Representatives from institutional partners Manila Water and Manila Water Foundation, Maynilad, San Miguel Corporation, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) congratulated and reaffirmed the commitment of their respective organizations to support the advocacy of MTFI. Manila Water President J.V. Emmanuel de Dios, Manila Water Foundation Reginald Andal and MWCI Regulatory Group Head Jo Kristine Celera formally turned over its P1-million institutional support to MTFI

Likewise, Maynilad President Ramoncito S. Fernandez and MWSI Corporate Communication Head Annete de Ocampo also turned P1-million institutional support. Fernandez rallied MTFI partner stakeholders to give special focus on the massive degradation of Laguna Lake which is also a vital source of water to both Maynilad and Manila Water.

DENR NCR Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, CESO III represented by DENR-NCR Assistant Regional Director Engr. Ignacio R. Almira Jr. commended MWSS for its efforts to protect and conserve the La Mesa Watershed through the AMTC. “The DENR National Capital Region is pleased and thankful to have you as partner in the enrichment of one of the remaining green spaces of Metro Manila,” Almira said.

According to him water security is one of the priorities of DENR. AMTC aims to rehabilitate critical watersheds that are essential in the water supply.

“For the past four years we have seen improvements in our watersheds, thanks to the Annual Million Tree Challenge, the National Greening Project, and other similar endeavors of different stakeholders,” he noted.

“DENR National Capital Region reaffirms its commitment to continue providing planting materials to the Annual Million Tree Project and assist in the validation of the planted seedlings and other needed interventions.”

Meanwhile, Bulacan Bulk Water Manager Edgar Dona read the speech of SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang for the anniversary celebration. SMC, which has become MTFI’s major annual donor supported the construction of the SMC Multi Purpose Center which is dedicated to former President Fidel V. Ramos. In his speech, RSA commended MTFI for taking on “the ambitious but arduous task of planting millions of trees in critical watershed areas, including the La Mesa Watershed.”

He underscored the importance of trees. “The role of trees and forests in our lives is basic but commonly overlooked--or worse, ignored. Apart from providing us valuable resources such as food and building materials, trees also protect us against land erosion and flooding.”

Guest of honor MWSS Board of Trustees Chairman Atty. Elpidio Vega who was introduced by MTFI Chairman Emeritus Velasco. Tokens of appreciation were handed to all partners of MTFI on the road to 10 million more trees by 2030. g

MTFI to pursue massive tree planting in watershed areas

By Ben

MANILA - “He who plants a tree, plants a hope.”

This is the battle cry adopted by Million Trees Foundation Incorporated (MTFI) on its first anniversary celebration urging Filipinos to plant trees to sustain the supply of water across the country, particularly in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces for the next 30 years and beyond.

MTFI made its plea during the celebration of its first anniversary was held at the Million Nursery and Eco Learning Center inside the La Mesa Dam compound in Novaliches, Quezon City the other day.

The chorus of calls to plant trees were echoed by Elpidio Vega, chairman of the Metropolitan Waterworks System (MWSS), MWSS Adminsitrator Bobby Cleofas, Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan Ceso III of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Ramon S. Ang, president and chief executive officer of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), J.V. Emmanuel de Dios,, president and CEO of Manila Water, Ramoncito Fernandez, president and CEO of Maynila Water, Gen. Rey Velasco (Ret.), MTFI chairman emeritus, and Mel Velasco, MTFI president. They stressed the importance of a sustainable environment by planting trees all over the country to ensure the continued

In his remarks, Fernandez called for the cleaning of Laguna Lake of dirt and pollution.

This was seconded by de Dios, who called on the people to respect Mother Nature, particularly water.

Laguna Lake is one of the lakes where Metro Manila and adjoining provinces get their water supply all year round.

On the side of the private sector, San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the giant beer company headed by Mr. Ang cited the vital role of MTFI in taking on taking “on the ambitious, but arduous task of planting millions of trees in critical watershed areas, including the La Mesa Watershed.”

“The importance of this endeavor in this day and age of climate change cannot be overemphasized. With more and more forest areas threatened by degradation, hands-on and direct action such as what MTFI and others responsible organizations are doing, is critical in ensuring we can at least mitigate some of the impacts of climate change,”

Ang said.

“The role of trees and forests in our lives is basic but commonly overlooked--or worse, ignored.

Apart from providing us valuable resources such as food and building materials, trees also protect us against land erosion and flooding,” he added.

Ang also said that “In the case of watersheds, they help ensure that there will be water for human survival.”

He lauded MWSS and MTFI by not lowering their guard down in this area, and have been successful in reforesting target watersheds these last couple of years.

“With the help of institutional partners and volunteers, they were able to surpass the five million trees target and have set another ambitious goal. And that is to plant 10 million more trees by the year 2030,” he said.

Ang assured that “you are not alone in this advocacy. For our part, San Miguel, through our power arm, San Miguel Global Power, have also surpassed the five-million tree mark in our own reforestation program, Project 747.”

“This initiative targets to plant seven million upland trees and mangroves on some 4,000 hectares of land in at least seven provinces, nationwide,” Ang said.

These include the provinces of Albay, Bataan, Bulacan, Davao Occidental, Negros Occidental, Pangasinan, Quezon, and Zambales.

The Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of the seven critical watersheds namely: Angat,