THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the Million Trees Foundation Inc. (MTFI) have garnered collective pledges from prominent individuals and top corporations to plant 2.7 million more trees, representing the single-biggest commitment to the Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC).
The record-breaking pledges were made in Quezon City during their joint recognition and pledging session held last Monday for the 2024 AMTC, a public-private sector initiative that aims to boost efforts of MWSS and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to rehabilitate critical watersheds through reforestation and tree-growing activities as coordinated by MTFI.
"AMTC has been consistent in meeting its target of one million trees planted annually, ensuring this success has necessitated the establishment of the Million Trees Foundation in 2021," MTFI President and Executive Director Melandrew Velasco said.
MTFI has set its sights on attaining the goal of 10 million more trees in 2030, he added.
The event held at the MWSS Complex capped off the Philippine Environment Month that saw a string of awards given to stakeholders and partners of MTFI, with San Miguel Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang on top billing as the "Champion of Nature," Velasco said.
Meanwhile, the "Nature Heroes" awards went to Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Co. Inc., and Grundfos Philippines, while the Australia-based QBE Group Shared Services Inc. was awarded under the "Eco Guardians" category along with Sta. Clara International Corp.
MWSS Administrator Leonor Cleofas said the event "highlights our pledge to address the critical need to preserve our natural resources for future generations."
Coinciding with the recognition and awarding ceremony, the pledging session generated 2.7 million trees to be planted, the biggest so far in AMTC's history, as it doubled the 1.36 million trees pledged last year, Velasco said.
The pledges came from 31 partners, with Dr. Cesar Quiambao's commitment of 700,000 trees topping the list, Velasco said.
Also, the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council, an agency attached to the Department of Agriculture, committed to plant at least 500,000 while DENR 4A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) pledged to plant 400,000 more, Velasco said.
Thus, AMTC has been granting the "Champion of Trees" award to partners and stakeholders who have planted 25,000 trees or more for 2023.
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