The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
UNDER the stewardship of the Manila Water Foundation, the La Mesa Ecopark (LME) in Quezon City, proudly marks 2025 as an impactful year for the environment.
The social development arm of Manila Water Company achieved significant progress in urban forest restoration, environmental education, and community engagement.
Through synergies with more than 180 organizations and thousands of volunteers, LME strengthened its role as a beacon of “BiodiverCity”, urban forest conservation and a hub for experiential, environmental learning in Metro Manila.
La Mesa Ecopark tapped into power of volunteerism and planted 14,342 endemic and native trees that enriched LME’s biodiversity and contributed to the ongoing rehabilitation of the La Mesa Watershed.
These efforts were made possible through 93 tree nurturing sessions that included tree planting, seed bagging, and soil potting, ultimately restoring 35 hectares of forest land.
The year also saw over 5,000 volunteers from all age groups participating in nurturing activities, and more than 8,000 individuals taking part in environmental education programs. A total of 78 private and public organizations actively contributed to these initiatives, marking an unprecedented scale of collaboration that nurtures an urban forest and supports water security.
“For us in Manila Water Foundation, what we are witnessing at La Mesa Ecopark is more than successful conservation work but a growing movement. Every tree planted and every volunteer who enters the Ecopark helps restore our forest cover, strengthen biodiversity, and protect the watershed that sustains Metro Manila. More importantly, these efforts spark personal transformation: a deepening environmental consciousness, greater appreciation for nature and a renewed commitment to climate action,” says Reginald Andal, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation.