La Mesa Ecopark celebrates World Environment Day with youth #ECOmmitments for climate action

In celebration of World Environment Day 2026, Manila Water Foundation and La Mesa Ecopark recently hosted a gathering dedicated to youth-led environmental advocacy. 

In honor of World Environment Day 2026, the Manila Water Foundation and La Mesa Ecopark recently hosted an event focused on youth-led environmental advocacy. 

Based on this year's theme, #NowForClimate, youth leaders and representatives from various youth organizations gathered at the La Mesa Ecopark to participate in a series of targeted eco-activities. The event successfully highlighted the importance of the younger generation as future climate champions prepared to face escalating environmental challenges.

The celebrations began with a special screening of the inspirational documentary "The Foresters: A Story of Climate Keepers," in association with MAD Travel. By showcasing real-life tales of youth and grassroots groups collaborating to save the environment, the film inspired viewers to actively engage in conservation and collaborate with cultural communities. 

After the screening, the young participants put their inspiration into practice by writing down their personal #ECOmmitments. By outlining concrete, achievable steps they will take to practice responsible environmental stewardship, these commitments emphasized the significance of individual accountability in building a sustainable future. 

Following that, the young leaders took a guided #BiodiverCity Walk through the La Mesa Ecopark's rich sanctuary of protected tree species. 

The trail included an educational visit to the Butterfly Garden, which offered a closer look at the delicate, thriving ecosystems. 

To demonstrate the long-term benefits of reforestation and have a positive, long-lasting effect on the watershed, a ceremonial tree-planting event was held. Young participants planted two Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus) seedlings, a rare tropical hardwood native to the Philippines that is also known as Philippine Ironwood. The ecologically significant seedlings were donated by the Malampaya Foundation, demonstrating effective cross-sectoral collaboration in environmental conservation. 

The celebration ended with a hands-on seed extraction activity. After admiring the towering Kupang (Parkia timoriana) trees earlier on their BiodiverCity Walk, participants enjoyed extracting seeds from their pods. The collected seeds will be nurtured at Bahay Punlaan before being dispersed throughout the La Mesa Ecopark and adjacent La Mesa Nature Reserve. 

The World Environment Day event serves as a preview of additional eco-activities at the La Mesa Ecopark, which will open Phase 2 in July. The public can expect more areas for groups and families to engage in leisure activities, teambuilding, and connecting with nature.

Anchored on this year’s theme, #NowForClimate, youth leaders and representatives from various youth organizations gathered at the La Mesa Ecopark to engage in a series of targeted eco-activities. The event successfully highlighted the vital role of the younger generation as future climate champions equipped to address escalating environmental challenges.

During this World Environment Day celebration, the Manila Water Foundation and La Mesa Ecopark successfully demonstrated the wave of collective action fueled by youth passion, demonstrating that the next generation holds the key to creating a sustainable, climate-resistant world.

Manila Water Foundation takes home 2 Anvils in the 60th PRSP Awards Gabi ng Parangal

MWF also bagged an Anvil for its Project Drink Pilipinas! Campaign which involves the provision of refrigerated drinking fountains to public schools and institutions.

The Manila Water Company's social development division, the Manila Water Foundation (MWF), won two (2) Silver Anvils at the 60th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal, which were held recently.

With its partner Prime Infra Foundation, Manila Water Foundation won the first silver Anvil in the Public Relations Program – Sustainability Communications category for their entry, “Digging Deep Together: A Water System for the Katutubo Village in Porac, Pampanga.” By creating a water system facility, MWF and Prime Infra Foundation addressed the long-standing water access issue that the Ayta Mag-indi cultural community of Katutubo Village faced.

In addition to the deepwell facility, an organized Water Access, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Group led by Aeta has been established to oversee and maintain the community investment and guarantee the long-term viability of the WASH infrastructure. 

Manila Water Foundation (MWF), the social development arm of Manila Water Company, has received two (2) Silver Anvils in the recently held 60th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal, organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.

The project ran for one year, from October 2023 to October 2024, and centered on parallel developments, the construction of a new Deep Well Facility, and the formation of a local WASH Group. This group is made up of community representatives, the majority of whom are women, who attended learning sessions to gain technical knowledge about the water system's operations and management, as well as activities aimed at reinforcing positive behavior and strengthening leadership skills. The intervention directly contributes to the achievement of UN SDG 6, which calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation, through UN SDG 17's Partnerships for the Goals strategy.

Additionally, MWF's "Project Drink Pilipinas" received PRSP's second silver Anvil! “Project Drink Pilipinas! Hydrating Filipinos for Health” falls under the Corporate Social Responsibility section of the Public Relations Program.

Drink Pilipinas Project! intends to encourage hydration for health by giving everyone—students in schools, locals, and guests in crowded public areas—access to clean, drinkable water by installing chilled drinking fountains. 

Drink Pilipinas Project! encourages the community to use fewer PET bottles and limit the consumption of sugary drinks, particularly by kids, and supports appropriate solid waste management. The Manila Water Foundation has extended the project's reach beyond public schools to include public parks, medical facilities, airports, and tourist destinations.

By 2024, public schools and public service facilities in Metro Manila, Boracay Island in Aklan, and Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga will have 207 units of chilled drinking fountains installed. There are currently 364,060 people who have access to safe and clean drinking water.

Through a rigorous selection process by renowned PR professionals and a distinguished multi-sectoral jury, the Public Relations Society of the Philippines organizes the annual Anvil Awards, which honor exceptional programs and tools in the field of communications and public relations.

Manila Water Foundation and partners highlight the benefits of handwashing for Global Handwashing Day

On Global Handwashing Day itself, Manila Water Foundation and PHILUSA Corporation, held an event at the La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City with Barangay Urban Farmers, Solid Waste Management Workers and TODA members of Barangay Greater Lagro and Barangay Fairview.

Manila Water Foundation, Manila Water Company's social development arm, recently organized two onsite events to commemorate Global Handwashing Day (GHD). The first event was a much-anticipated celebration in San Juan City, and the GHD itself was held at the La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, the San Juan City Council, and San Juan City Representative Bel Zamora hosted the MWF.  

During the Monday flag ceremony at San Juan City Hall, the Manila Water Foundation and P&G Safeguard presented donations to the City Health Department. MWF donated three WASHups! Handwashing stations were set up, and P&G Safeguard donated boxes of liquid hand soap to the city's health programs. 

A SAFEWASH in Families and Communities health talk was also held to encourage barangay health workers to promote hand hygiene in their families and city. 

On Global Handwashing Day, the Manila Water Foundation and PHILUSA Corporation held an event at the La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. The guests at the Global Handwashing Day celebration included Barangay Urban Farmers, Solid Waste Management Workers, and TODA members from Barangay Greater Lagro and Barangay Fairview. Quezon City 5th District Representative Patrick Michael Vargas was also present to praise the barangay workers' dedication to the district's upkeep and to remind everyone of the importance of proper hand washing for health.

Before the GHD event, PHILUSA Corporation, led by President and General Manager Neogin Evangelista, began the day by planting trees at the Ecopark, demonstrating the company's environmental commitment. The Manila Water Foundation, for its part, reminded community members of the importance of handwashing and the seven steps to proper handwashing. 

In collaboration with the Quezon City Health Department, the Manila Water Foundation observed Global Handwashing Day with students at Early Childhood Care and Development Centers. To reach out to the regions, MWF co-organized Global Handwashing Day events in Davao del Norte with Boracay Water, Laguna Water, and Tagum Water.

Global Handwashing Day, observed annually on October 15, is an advocacy day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap and water as an easy, effective, and inexpensive way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and save lives. Manila Water Foundation's Health in Our Hands program, which focuses on schools and communities to promote community health and well-being, continues to lead campaigns for this celebration. 

On Global Handwashing Day in October, and in every day, Manila Water Foundation reminds everyone to keep safe and WASHup, WASHup!