Manila Water gathers partners in public and private sectors to hike, bike for nature in celebration of Earth Day
In photos: The 2023 Lakbay Kalikasan: Hike and Bike participants along with (center, L-R) Jen Delos Santos, Manila Water Advocacy and Research Department Head and Jeric Sevilla, Manila Water Corporate Communication Affairs Group Director. Over 120 hiking and biking enthusiasts from the public and private sector joined the Lakbay Kalikasan: Hike and Bike Year 2 in La Mesa Nature Reserve, organized by Manila Water in celebration of Earth Day.
In celebration of Earth Day, which is commemorated annually every April 22, Manila Water, together with its partners, gathered once again in the La Mesa Nature Reserve in Quezon City, marking the second year of Lakbay Kalikasan: Hike and Bike for Nature.
Over 120 participants joined the event, which gathered stakeholders from the government and private sectors, hiking and biking enthusiasts, and the public to take part in protecting our environment and the resources that sustain lives by adopting and maintaining trees inside the La Mesa Nature Reserve.
The hiking activity featured a 4.5-to-6-kilometer trail highlighting the biodiversity inside the La Mesa Nature Reserve, while the biking activity took the cyclists to the scenic 9-kilometer trail of the watershed area.
This event is part of Manila Water’s move in integrating sustainability in its operations. Manila Water’s 3-point Sustainability Agenda touches majority of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, adhering to calls for action to end environmental abuse and climate change.
Under the “Protecting the Environment” pillar, Manila Water aims to prevent further environmental degradation by conserving natural resources, managing and protecting watershed areas, and responsibly treating raw water and wastewater; operate efficiently and innovate responsibly to address business risks and opportunities in a way that nurtures, protects, and conserves natural resources; understand and respond to global environmental concerns on climate change and biodiversity loss through systematic efforts on adaptation and mitigation; and to work in partnership with the communities, government, civil society organizations, businesses, investors, and other stakeholders to create awareness, advocate sustainable practices, and respond to critical social needs and pressing environmental issues.
With the efficient use of natural resources and materials, Manila Water has kept its record of having one of the lowest average NRW levels among all countries in Asia, with a rate of 12.69% in 2022. The company has recovered 1.083 million cubic meters (mcm) backwash through our Water Efficiency Program.
Also gearing towards Net Zero, Manila Water approved and launched Project Net Zer0, an initiative to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by establishing medium and long-term GHG reduction targets aligned with the Science-Based Targets Initiative Standards to limit the global mean temperature increase to 1.5-C. Manila Water’s GHG emission reduction programs include its gradual transition to renewable energy (RE) through onsite solar power generation and RE purchase.
Under its watershed management program, a total of 1,462,945 trees were planted and nurtured by Manila Water in different parts of the Philippines in 2022, equivalent to 2,739.27 hectares of land which were reforested.
“We increasingly notice the effects of climate change globally and these impacts incur in a speedier rate. We need to place extra attention and carefully consider our actions, to protect ourselves and to protect our environment.” says Sarah Bergado, Manila Water Sustainability Head.
The proceeds of the Lakbay Kalikasan: Hike and Bike will go to the Manila Water Foundation, to fund programs supporting environmental protection and water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for marginalized communities.
