Million trees project nearly done with nursery, learning center

MANILA – As the nation is caught up on the election fever and the continuous fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MFTI) is diligently fulfilling its commitment to protect the environment.

MFTI president and executive director, Melandrew Velasco, said the first phase of the project, MFTI Tree Nursery and Eco Learning Center, is almost complete.

"We have to push for environment protection continuously despite the pandemic," Velasco said in a recent statement.

The project is located at the the La Mesa Watershed in Novaliches, Quezon City, granted to the foundation by the government through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System as provided for in a memorandum of agreement.

Together with water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water, they are active partners in the Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC), a watershed rehabilitation project launched in 2017 for the benefit of seven watersheds essential to the water supply in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

Supporter San Miguel Corporation has already planted 3.8 million trees since 2019.

The seedling survival rate for upland trees is 89 percent and for mangrove saplings, 91 percent.

The MFTI Nursery and Satellite Office will be the center of all activities of the AMTC.

Aside from the production of saplings, it will be the venue of trainings and seminars as well as a learning hub for environment protection.

Identified saplings to be cultivated are narra, ilang-ilang, bamboo, and other indigenous trees suitable for forest rehabilitation. (PNA)