Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 18)— The Million Trees Foundation Inc. (MTFI) opened on Friday its Nursery and Eco-Learning Center at the La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City to protect and ensure reforestation in the area.
The center is the maiden project for the five-hectare area leased to MTFI by the Philippine government. It aims to provide optimum conditions for the trees that will be planted in different reforestation projects.
It was also set up to ensure the sustainability of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s annual Million Tree Challenge.
“It’s a miracle in itself how we transform this place in four or five months,” said Melandrew Velasco, President and Executive Director of MTFI.
“Hindi lang sapat ‘yung pagtatanim, kailangan matuto tayong mag-alaga, at isa rin yun sa mga natutunan namin in this period. Importante rin na mabuhay ‘yung mga itinanim so nag-invest din tayo doon sa pag-aalaga sa mga naitanim,” Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randy Estrellado said.
[Translation: Planting is not enough. We need to learn how to take care of them, and this is also a lesson for us in this period. It’s important for them to survive so we should also invest in taking care of the plants.]
The project targets to produce 500,000 trees including Narra, Ylang-ylang, and Bamboo.
San Miguel Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang, one of the partners of MTFI, was also present during the inauguration and opening of facilities.
The center will also serve as a learning hub for environment protection and venue for seminars and trainings.
The MTFI has planted 5.2 million trees in five years, and eyes 10 million more until 2030.
