Winford Manila Resort & Casino joined forces with ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. at the La Mesa Nature Reserve for a tree-planting activity on 6 August 2022.
The effort is bannered under WMRC’s Green Drive corporate social responsibility program geared toward promoting environmental sustainability through employee engagement.
The project is part of AFI’s environmental program, Bantay Kalikasan, which is committed to preserving and enhancing Philippine biodiversity and making every Filipino a vigilant steward of the environment.
WMRC executives and employees were welcomed by Sarah Alcayde-Agcaoili, AFI Operations manager for Save La Mesa Watershed Project,
“In 2019, we held our first tree-planting activity at Angat Watershed in Bulacan,” Jeff Evora, WMRC president & COO, said. “The purpose of that activity was to raise awareness of climate change and how planting trees can help diminish its negative effects.”
“Today, we revisit our environmental cause by appreciating our country’s biodiversity up close. All these trees provide fresh air and clean water not just for us to breathe and drink, but for our grandchildren and future generations to benefit from as well.”
Evora and his WMRC team planted 400 young trees across one hectare of forest as part of their efforts to realize the shared vision with AFI for a cleaner and greener Philippines.
“With the help of partners like WMRC, we have rehabilitated 1,552 hectares of forest for over 20 years now,” Agcaoili said. “We have also established protocols and systems that ensure successful reforestaton based on science and best practices.”
WMRC partipants were guided by experienced Bantay Kalikasan forest workers during the activity who adhere to plantation establishment and maintenance practices that allow for a high 90 percent survival rate of the seedlings planted.