The Million Trees Foundation, Inc.(MTFI) celebrates its founding anniversary this month of March particularly on the 18th coinciding with the birthday of former President Fidel Valdez Ramos in whose honor the Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center at the La Mesa Watershed.
Speaking of FVR, it’s unfortunate that he is no longer with us during these challenging times when we are all at the crossroads of a divided nation. If he were alive today, FVR would be steadfast in admonishing every Filipino and all leaders both in government and the private sector to embrace: UST – Unity, Solidarity and Teamwork. In the book “Our Continuing Voyage: 15 Years of RPDEV, FVR wrote: “When each of us come together in U.S.T. – with one goal in mind and heart driven by the same commitment – we all become a strong and mighty hand, able to make real for ourselves a quality of life we have always yearned for in an environment of enduring peace and sustainable development.”
It was in March 2022 when MTFI was granted its certificate of incorporation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Inspired by the success of the Annual Million Tree Challenge (AMTC), a watershed rehabilitation program launched by then Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Gen Reynaldo V. Velasco (ret), MTFI was founded to ensure AMTC’s continuity past its five-year duration. MTFI is the recognized non-government partner of MWSS in its efforts to reforest watersheds essential in the water supply of its coverage areas. With the partnership, the MWSS granted MTFI use of 5 hectares of the La Mesa watershed reservation for the latter’s projects.
Time flew by. The area granted to MTFI which borders President Quirino Avenue in Quezon City is now a bustling hub for environment lovers. At the once-sparse patch of land now stands the Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center. It is also the site of a multipurpose center wholly funded by conglomerate San Miguel Corporation Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang and branded as SMC Multipurpose Center. It is known as Eddie’s Barn in honor of former President Fidel V. Ramos, an ardent environmentalist in his lifetime who left a legacy of four “Ms” to the Filipinos: Maka Diyos, Maka Bayan, Maka Tao and Makalikasan.
San Miguel Corporation is a major partner of MTFI along with Maynilad Water Services, Manila Water Company, and Sta. Clara International Corporation. Through the years, MTFI forged more stakeholder partnerships that include QBE, Grundfos Foundation, Nestlé Philippines, among others.
In pursuing its objectives, MTFI is working closely with MWSS, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units where beneficiary watersheds are located. Last year, MTFI boosted its collaboration with government as it partnered with the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Plant Industry to promote the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management which provided the Foundation with a composting machine. The composting machine is integral in our operations relative to organic fertilizer production.
Another upcoming project is the setting up of the Indoor Cultivation System (ICS) through DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) which is expected to operationalize sometime June this year. It’s actually a modern hydroponics system that promotes urban agriculture with the propagation of high value crops. This will complement our overall conceptual and operational framework as an Eco Learning Center for sustainability and environmental protection.
MTFI manifested its willingness to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte to support a greener Quezon City through the One Million Trees Project of the LGU after MTFI Chairman Emeritus Gen Reynaldo V. Velasco (ret) and I had a meeting with the local chief executive in September 2024.
Since its establishment, the number of stakeholder partners has gradually increased. To date, it has over 100 partner stakeholders. Last year, 73 groups and organizations undertook tree planting activities, while 10 groups participated in saplings re-bagging with 12,273 saplings re-bagged.
The MTFI envisions to plant and grow 15 million more trees by 2030 and we are grateful that during the pledging session, our stakeholder partners committed to plant 2.7 million trees this year in our beneficiary watersheds such as La Mesa, Ipo, Angat, Upper Marikina, Laguna Lake, Kaliwa and other parts of the country.
MTFI is proud of what it has accomplished the past years. For 2024, the multi-purpose hall has been refurbished; new green houses and composting facility were constructed; more indigenous and fruit bearing saplings were acquired; tree planting activities involving 25,0009 saplings inside the La Mesa watershed were conducted, aside from beautification and landscaping of the MTFI grounds. Another landmark project was the establishment of the QBE SanQtuary Park that has become a beehive of activity at the Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center.
As Executive Director of the Foundation, I am happy to share that despite being a young organization, our efforts at environment protection have been commended the past years: In 2023, MTFI was recognized with the Maynilad Water Warrior Award for Advocacy Leadership during the World Water Day Ph Awards and in 2024 with the Bantayog ng Lawa Awards given during the 55th Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).
Incidentally, among environment days observed globally in March, two are closely related to the advocacy of the Million Trees Foundation. These are the International Day of Forests on March 21st ; and World Water Day on March 22nd.
It was in 2012 when the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 the International Day of Forests to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of forests. Forests are vital for food security as they provide essential foods for human beings and animals. Forests play an importance role in agriculture as they host pollinators, enrich the soil and supply freshwater.
Meanwhile, World Water Day is observed annually every 22nd of March. Its observance started in 1993 and focuses on the importance of freshwater—not only to celebrate water but also to raise awareness on the global water crisis that is affecting more than 2 billion people without access to safe water. Aside from water scarcity, other issues affecting water are water pollution and the impact of climate change. World Water Day supports the achievement of the SDG 6.
As the country participates in the observance of World Water Day on Saturday, let us be reminded that this year, the 22nd is also the day when Earth Hour will be observed. Earth Hour, a worldwide movement organized by WWF, encourages individuals, communities and other organizations to give an hour from 8:30-9:30 pm on the last Saturday of March by switching off non-essential electric lights. The movement aims to tackle climate change and protect Mother Earth, concerns that are also being addressed by MTFI programs and projects.
