Watersheds are essential in improving the quality of water that the public consumes. Thus, it is of greater importance that the people who are enjoying the benefits of these watersheds are working on preserving and improving their condition. The Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD), being highly committed to protecting the Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP) and the Naga River Watershed, initiated the “Adopt-a-Nursery” Project in collaboration with various stakeholders.

This program which started in the 1990s, resulted in the restoration of the vegetative cover of almost 1,000 hectares in the Anayan-Rumangrap and Kalinisan-Nabuntulan watersheds, further restoring the environmental integrity of said areas in MINP which is vital to rain formation and the regulation of MNWD’s spring sources.

Today, in support of the Forest in Our Midst (FOM) of the City Government of Naga and for the sustainability of our environmental programs, the program has expanded with the inclusion of the Naga River Watershed through the memorandum of agreement signed in 2019.

Moreover, on January 12, 2021, the MNWD held a Turnover Ceremony of the Adopt-a-Nursery Project with the Ateneo De Naga University (ADNU) High School Batch ’70 and Bob Marlin Restaurant and Grill. They are the District’s new partners in fulfilling its mission of attaining an ideal vegetative cover for watersheds and increase its water holding capacity.

Bob Marlin was represented by former MNWD Chairman, Jorge T. Palma, who contributed an amount of ₱15,000.00, which would constitute a number of 2,000 seedlings. ADNU H/S Batch ’70 on the other hand, donated ₱34,380.00 to fund the propagation activities, good for 4,000 seedlings. As ADNU Alumnus Ismael “Bong” Pangilinan said in his speech, the Adopt-a-Nursery Project is an avenue for them to give back to the community and the environment. (YMMSavilla)

In behalf of the ADNU H/S Batch ’70, Alumnus Gene M. Jaucian (6th from left) handed over the funds for the seedling propagation activities to MNWD, represented by GM Virgilio B. Luansing I (7th from left) during the Turnover Ceremony at the MNWD Multipurpose Hall.

Representing Bob Marlin Restaurant and Grill and former MNWD Chairman, Jorge T. Palma (5th from left) likewise donated for the project as received by GM Luansing I, together with the Engineering and Environment Department (EED).