West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. has begun its 2026 Plant for Life program, setting its highest annual planting target to date: 230,225 indigenous tree seedlings across 450 hectares of priority restoration areas within the Ipo Watershed.
The 2026 planting sites cover areas in Norzagaray, Bulacan, and Mt. Balagbag in Rizal, both of which form part of the Ipo Watershed. The sites were identified in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as priority areas for forest restoration.
The Ipo Watershed is a critical part of the Angat-Ipo raw water system, which supplies water to Metro Manila. Reforesting denuded portions of the watershed helps reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, improve water infiltration, support biodiversity, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of this vital water source.
Unlike one-day planting activities, Plant for Life provides for three years of site maintenance through partnerships with local people’s organizations. Their work includes regular monitoring, protection of planted areas, vegetation management, and replacement planting when necessary to improve seedling survival and support long-term forest restoration.
The program has maintained a seedling survival rate of more than 85% over the past seven years. In 2025, a 450-hectare restoration site covering Mt. Balagbag and Norzagaray recorded an overall seedling survival rate of 92.1%, as validated by the DENR.
“Watershed restoration is measured not only by how many seedlings are planted, but by how many are able to survive and become part of a functioning forest,” said Maynilad Chief Sustainability Officer Atty. Roel Espiritu.
“By combining indigenous tree planting with sustained site care and community stewardship, we help strengthen the natural systems that support water quality, water availability, and the resilience of nearby communities.”
Indigenous species such as narra, kupang, and kalumpit will be planted under this year’s program to help restore biodiversity and establish vegetation suited to local watershed conditions.
Since Plant for Life was established in 2007, Maynilad has planted more than 1.64 million seedlings and supported the restoration of nearly 2,420 hectares of watershed and other environmentally critical areas.
The 2026 Plant for Life kickoff brought together Maynilad employee volunteers and representatives from TELUS, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, GHD, Makati Medical Center, Light Rail Manila Corporation, and World Vision. (PR)
