QUEZON CITY – Outstanding partners and supporters of the Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC) were honored during the Recognition and Awarding Ceremonies for 2024 ceremonies held in Quezon City.

The event had for its theme ‘Growing Together: Honoring Commitment, Cultivating Hope.”

The awarding ceremonies, mounted by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) led by Administrator Leonor Cleofas and the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) headed by Chairman Reynaldo Velasco and Executive Director Melandrew Velasco coincided with the 2025 pledging session.

The pledging session is held annually during which partners and stakeholders of the AMTC commit to plant x number of trees in critical watersheds.

Launched in 2017, the AMTC aims to rehabilitate watersheds essential to water supply in MWSS coverage areas. It has been successful in meeting its goal of planting one million trees every year.

For the period 2017-2024, total trees planted reached 10, 385,547 in 25,796.24 hectares. Last year alone, 1,983,542 seedlings were planted. This is more than the 2023 record of 1,429,115 seedlings planted.

In his welcome remarks, MTFI Executive Director Melandrew T. Velasco said the MTFI is “growing steady in terms of partnerships and collaboration from institutional partners who fuel our maintenance, operations and implementation of projects and activities to the growing number of partner stakeholders who plant and engage in meaningful activities at the Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center.”

He also noted the growth of the AMTC that is “now becoming a nationwide movement for watershed protection, reforestation and sustainability.”

MTFI is the non-government organization partner of MWSS to ensure the sustainability of AMTC’s success.

MTFI Chairman Emeritus Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco (Ret.) on the other hand, remarked that from a bold dream of planting a million trees in 2017, AMTC has become a flourishing national movement that continues to grow.

“Together, we have proven that collaboration, collective action and commitment can transform our watersheds and protect the lifeblood of our communities.”

It was during Velasco’s tenure as MWSS Administrator when the AMTC initiative was launched.

Among those who delivered speeches were representatives from MWSS concessionaires: Atty, Roel Espiritu, Vice President/Head-Quality, Sustainability & Resiliency as well as Chief Sustainability Officer of Maynilad and Mr. Reginald Anadal, Executive Director of Manila Water.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte was represented by Ms. Kristine Lea S, Gaon, Division Chief of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department Education who read the mayor’s message.

In her message, Mayor Belmonte congratulated MWSS, the Million Trees Foundation and all partners for their commitment to watershed protection and environmental stewardship.

She spoke about the city’s plans to expand its existing urban green spaces and the city’s One Million Trees initiative which involves planting the right trees at the right places.“

The recognition ceremony is a celebration of partnership which shines a light on your collective effort restoring ecosystems, reducing climate risks and creating green jobs, goals that resonate deeply with Quezon City’s own climate and development agenda.”

Guest of honor was Acting DENR Secretary Raphel Lotilla. He was represented by Engr. Gilbert Gonzales, DENR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations, Luzon and Visayas.

In his message read by Gonzales, Lotilla said tree planting is more than just a community gesture but also a practical investment on natural infrastructure that supports water systems.

He also cited the need to continuously care for the planted trees to them to survive even as he congratulated the outstanding achievements of MWSS, MTFI and partners in the AMTC.

During the event, the late Agriculture Deogracias Victor “DV” Barbers Savellano who was last year’s AMTC Guest Speaker was honored with a posthumous award.

The award was accepted by PBIDC (Philippine Bamboo Development Industry Council) Executive Director Butch Madarang.

It will be recalled that in last year’s pledging session, USEC Savellano committed 500,000 trees to be planted all over the country in support of the AMTC.

In his speech Madarang spoke of Savellano’s “unwavering commitment and visionary leadership in environmental protection, particularly through the propagation and planting of bamboo.”

“In memory of DV Savellano, PBIDC renews its commitment to the mission of the Million Trees Foundation through its steadfast support and active advocacy for growing bamboo across the country. This partnership reflects a shared vision for environmental sustainability and climate resilience,” Madarang said.

There were five award categories: Champion of Trees, Kampeon ng Tubig Kanlungan, Kampeon ng Kalikasan, Kasangga ng Kalikasan, and Kaagapay ng MTFI.

The Champion of Trees award is presented to companies and agencies who have successfully planted more than 20,000 trees.

The awardees are Bulacan Bulk Water, MWSS-RO, World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, General Nakar LGU, Sta. Clara International Corporation, DENR-NCR, DENR-III, DENR-4A, Laguna Lake Development Authority, San Miguel Corporation, MWSS Corporate Office, Manila Water Company, Inc., Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and CS First Green Agri Industrial Development, Inc.

Another award is the Kampeon ng Tubig Kanlungan given to heads of agencies for their exemplary leadership in protecting water resources that resulted in the planted of at least 20,000 trees.

Recipients of the award are: DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director Atty. Michael Drake P. Matias, DENR Region 3 PENRO Rolly DC Mulato, DENR Region 4A PENRO Ramil R. Limpiada, CS First Green Agri Industrial Development, Inc. President Bernard Bawing, MWSS-RO Chief Regulator Atty. Patrick Ty, Maynilad Vice President-Quality, Sustainability and Resiliency/Chief Sustainability Officer Atty. Roel Espiritu, General Nakar Mayor Eliseo R. Ruzol,Sr., Luzon Clean Water Development Corporation General Manager Herman Avengosa, and Professional Regulatory Commission’s Neria Andin.

Institutional partners who pursued the promotion of broader climate action, ecosystem protection, and community-based initiatives aside from planting trees were commended with the Kampeon ng Kalikasan award. They were handed plaques of recognition made of glass or wood.

The wooden plaques were made in the Million Trees Foundation carpentry shop from repurposed wooden crates sourced from San Miguel Corporation.

Commended were San Miguel Corporation and its Chairman & CEO Ramon S. Ang; Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and its CEO Ramoncito Fernandez; Manila Water Company, Inc. and its CEO Jose Victor Emmanuel De Dios; Sta. Clara International Corporation and its Chairman and Managing Director Nicandro Linao; QBE Group Shared Services Centre and its SVP for Finance Arthur Araña; and Grundfos Philippines and its IS Director & Country Director.

Partners who have contributed to the greening of La Mesa through their active tree planting activities in collaboration with the Million Trees Foundation were presented with the Kasangga ng Kalikasan award.

The awardees were Nestle Philippines, Inc., Selma Shipping Philippines Inc., Netflix Philippines, New World Hotel Makati, Panasonic, Philippine Veterans Bank, Century City Estates, Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Rotary District 3780, PICC, JCI Senate Philippines, San Juan Batangas Cofislive Agriculture Cooperative – Ronn Albert Tabasondra, Menro San Juan Batangas Noelito Pasco; and Task Us.

Meanwhile, the National Federation of Woman’s Club and Ligao Woman’s Club, JCI Philippines National President Cecilia La Madrid Dy and JCI Green Link National Chairman Cecilia L. Sabado were handed Certificates of Appreciation.

Another category is the Kaagapay ng MTFI recognizing the invaluable support and contributions of partners to the the Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center to fully realize its potential as a nursery and eco learning center.

Honored were Bureau of Plants and Industry (BPI) Dir. Gerald Glenn P. Panganiban, Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) Dir. Gina P. Nilo, PhD, DENR- NCR Regional Executive Director Atty. Michael Drake P. Matias, John Dewey School for Children /Partnerships for Sustainability Educations Executive Director Rochelle Razo, Arellano University Chairman & CEO Francisco Paulino V. Cayco, STI Fairview –NSTP represented by Robert Lemuel S. Regis- Gen. Education Program Head, Lyceum of the Philippines University – NSTP represented by Reyman Gapas – College Secretary & NSTP.