Employees of the Balibago Waterworks System, Inc. (Balibago Waterworks) have recently planted 1,000 fruit-bearing trees at the Sapangbato watershed to fulfill part of the company’s commitment under the Adopt-A-Watershed Reforestation Program (AWRP).
Balibago Waterworks President Criselle Alejandro said that it is important to preserve our watersheds and to plant more trees because this is critical for the security of water.
“It is through our trees and forests that we are able to capture the rainfall, manage floods, and prevent soil erosion, and through this, we are also able to replenish our aquifers — the underground aquifers and our surface water like rivers and lakes,” Alejandro said.
In 2022, Balibago Waterworks adopted a 10-hectare land at the watershed in Sitio Balaru, Barangay Sapangbato, Angeles City.
Alejandro said the company’s goal is to plant 10,000 trees from 2022 to 2029, thus the title Project 10,000 as known to the Balibago Waterworks family.
Alejandro added that since the project’s launch in October 11, 2022, the company has already planted 4,000 forest and fruit-bearing trees, as well as bamboos. The 1,000 trees recently planted included.
The AWRP is an advocacy program spearheaded by the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI) and its private sector partners, in cooperation with the Angeles City LGU, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Kapatirang Aetas ng Angeles-Porac para sa Kalikasan at Agrikultura (KAAPKA).
As the implementer and administrator of the AWRP, ARAW-ACI encourages private companies and organizations to adopt a minimum of one hectare land at the watershed and help rehabilitate the area by planting at least 1,000 trees. The partners are also required to help in ensuring the survival of the plants within three years.
Alejandro said Balibago Waterworks joined AWRP because the company fully understands the importance of rehabilitating and protecting watersheds.
“Balibago Waterworks would like to encourage other companies and individuals to also participate in watershed management and tree planting because this is for the sustainability of our water supply for future generations. Let us all help protect the water for water is the most basic necessity of life,” she said.
