Apo Agua forges ties with DENR, farmers for reforestation program

Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua) has recently established a partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XI and FARDECO Multipurpose Cooperative (FARDECO) through a five-year reforestation program for the rehabilitation of DENR's 200-hectare site in Barangay Cadalian, Baguio District.

Apo Agua Operations Head, Mr. Shake A. Tuason, Department of Environment and Natural Resources XI Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel Evasco, and FARDECO Multipurpose Cooperative Chairman Nelson Tagud signed a memorandum of agreement on October 28, 2022.



Apo Agua and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have joined forces in order to raise community members' awareness of the importance of conserving watersheds and biodiversity through an all-encompassing information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign. This is in keeping with both organizations' respective commitments to assisting in the preservation of the watershed and providing opportunities for the community's members to earn a living. In addition to multimedia materials like posters and videos, metal signage highlighting local endemic species will be put up in the barangays of the Baguio District to promote wildlife conservation through the preservation and protection of animals, plants, and their habitats.

This reforestation program is not just about planting trees; it is also about restoring and caring for our NGP area within the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed. "We've worked with Aboitiz on many projects, and this reforestation program is not just about planting trees." Through this partnership, Apo Agua is assisting us in ensuring that our water table will continue to be sustainable all the way to the homes of Davaoenos. Bagani Fidel Evasco, the Regional Executive Director for DENR 11, said, "I hope that this is not the end of it and that we will continue with our efforts to conserve the environment."





Apo Agua also gave digital cameras to the Monitoring Team of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and they gave mobile devices, power banks, and raincoats to the Lawin Patrollers of DENR-CENRO. This was done to optimize the watershed monitoring activities of both groups.

It is a privilege to work hand in hand with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to preserve the Panigan-Tamugan watershed. As part of our strategy to advance both our business and the communities in which we operate, we place a high value on the protection of the environment at Aboitiz. According to Anna Lu, President of Apo Agua, "We recognize the urgent need to protect the watershed as this will be the next water source of Davao City, and we are taking proactive steps to do so."

Apo Agua has been a consistent supporter of environmental protection through a variety of programs, and in 2019, the company joined forces with the Davao City Water District to participate in the Adopt-a-Site Reforestation Program.

In addition to this, it carried out a watershed baseline study in collaboration with ARUP, a well-known consulting firm. This study resulted in the formulation of recommendations for the Davao City Watershed Management Council (WMC) to consider when formulating policies that will ensure the watershed's continued viability.

Apo Agua is determined to hasten the project's completion in order to provide a safe and sustainable water supply to the customers of the Davao City Water District while it is in the process of leading the construction of the Bulk Water Supply Project for DCWD.

Pipelaying activities are also ongoing in multiple locations across 15 barangays in the Second and Third Districts of Davao City, which have resulted in the restoration of roads in those areas.

About Apo Agua Apo Infrastructura, Inc. is building one of the Philippines' largest private bulk water supply facilities. It will give the Davao City Water District more than 300 million liters per day of safe, clean water for the people of Davao City.

The company reached an agreement with the Davao City Water District (DCWD) to switch the primary source of water for Davao City from groundwater wells to the Tamugan River, which is a source of surface water that is more environmentally friendly.

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