Manila Water Urges Preventive Desludging to Protect Local Waterways this October

Manila Water is encouraging customers to participate in its October desludging schedule as part of its continuing efforts to protect local waterways, support community health, and promote responsible wastewater management. Through regular septic tank maintenance, households can help prevent untreated wastewater from entering drainage systems, creeks, rivers, and other bodies of water, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

As populations grow and urban areas expand, proper sanitation becomes increasingly important in safeguarding both public health and the environment. Regular desludging removes accumulated sludge from septic tanks, ensuring wastewater is properly collected and treated while reducing the risk of pollution that can affect surrounding communities and waterways.

This October, Manila Water desludging teams will be deployed in the barangays of Bagong Nayon, Sta. Cruz, and San Luis in Antipolo City; Baras and Jala-Jala in Rizal; San Andres and San Isidro A in Cainta; Santa Ana in Taytay; Geronimo and San Rafael in Rodriguez (Montalban); Dulong Bayan 1 and 2, Santa Ana, Guitnang Bayan I (Poblacion), and Gulod Malaya in San Mateo; Pag-asa in Binangonan; and Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City. Desludging teams will also serve select accounts in Holy Spirit, Quezon City; and Salapan, Pasadena, and Pedro Cruz in San Juan City.

The initiative also reflects Manila Water's commitment to environmental stewardship, highlighted by its participation in the International Coastal Cleanup organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in September. While Manila Water employees joined volunteers in cleaning up Manila Bay and nearby waterways, the company continues to promote preventive desludging as an important measure in reducing pollution and protecting water bodies.

"Protecting our waterways requires action on multiple fronts. While coastal cleanups help remove waste already present in the environment, preventive desludging helps stop wastewater pollution at its source. By maintaining septic tanks regularly, customers become active partners in keeping rivers, creeks, and coastal areas cleaner and healthier for future generations," said Manila Water Corporate Communications Group Head Dittie Galang.

Manila Water also works closely with local communities and barangays to promote awareness of its regular desludging program, encouraging customers to maintain their septic tanks every five to seven years. By participating in the program, households not only help keep their septic systems functioning properly but also contribute to the protection of local waterways and the overall health of the communities.

Security Bank marks 75th Year with 7,500-Mangrove Target

La Union, Philippines – As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, Security Bank marked the second year of Project MITHI with a coastal conservation and communication engagement activity in Barangay Bungro, Luna, La Union. Employees, local communities, government agencies, and youth volunteers planted nearly 500 mangrove seedlings, contributing to the Bank's target of planting 7,500 seedlings this year.

 Beyond mangrove rehabilitation, the activity also included environmental education sessions for children and financial literacy workshops for adult community members, reflecting Project MITHI’s broader focus on strengthening the resilience of coastal communities.

“Project MITHI is about creating impact that lasts beyond a single activity,” said Nikki Lizares, Sustainability Head of Security Bank. “As we celebrate our 75th year, we want to contribute to communities in ways that strengthen both people and the environment. Restoring mangroves, building environmental awareness, and sharing practical financial knowledge are all part of helping communities become more resilient over time.”

Mayor Gary Pinzon of Luna, La Union underscored the importance of mangrove rehabilitation in strengthening environmental protection and climate resilience. He thanked the volunteers and partner organizations for their support, noting that environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility. “Every mangrove seedling we plant today restores hope, resilience, and a collective commitment to preserving our environment.” 

Mangrove rehabilitation requires sustained community participation to create long-term impact.

"Mangrove rehabilitation is a long-term investment in both nature and communities," said Angela Mariz Obsina, Project Lead of MITHI from Oceanus Conservation. "Local residents help monitor and care for the seedlings because they understand the protection healthy mangroves can provide against the impacts of climate change. When nature thrives, communities become more resilient. By protecting our ecosystems, we are also protecting ourselves."

Project MITHI is a partnership between Security Bank, Oceanus Conservation, and Communities for Nature that supports mangrove rehabilitation, biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and inclusive community development in coastal communities across the Philippines.

Now in its second year, Project MITHI forms part of Security Bank’s broader sustainability efforts to support environmental protection while building stronger, more resilient communities.

Vena Energy Marks World Environment Day with Major Tree-Planting Initiative in Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines

[MANILA, PHILIPPINES – 5 June 2026] – Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions provider in the Asia-Pacific region, marked World Environment Day with a large-scale ceremonial tree-planting initiative in Sitio Kilingan, Barangay San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal. The activity brought together 19 employee volunteers from across the organization and 100 members of the local People’s Organization, a community conservation group, to support the national goal of planting at least five million trees nationwide by 2028. 

Held under the theme "Plant a Tree, Make a Change Today!", the initiative supports the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) Forests for Life (FFL) programme. Employee volunteers made an early start, arriving at the site equipped with the necessary tools and planting 200 seedlings (50 molave, 100 white lauan, 50 soursop), demonstrating the company's commitment to environmental stewardship.

"As a company dedicated to accelerating the energy transition, we ensure that our responsibility to the environment extends beyond our renewable energy projects," said Samrinder Nehria, Head of Vena Energy in the Philippines. "This ceremonial tree planting is our first step in honouring the commitment we have made to adopt and plant on an initial 50 hectares of forest land, with the aim of adopting more areas in the country that need our support and where tangible, hands-on actions are called for to ensure the promise of sustainable development is kept."

The tree-planting activity follows the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between Vena Energy and the DENR on 11 February 2026, formalizing the company's support for the FFL programme. The FFL aims to establish at least 5 million indigenous forest tree species nationwide, from 2025 to 2028, to address forest conservation, biodiversity restoration and climate change mitigation, while enhancing community livelihoods and private-sector engagement.

A second MOA was also signed at this week’s event between Vena Energy and the People’s Organization, Samahan ng Magsasaka sa Kilingan-Panusugin, Inc. (SMKPI), committing the company to plant 28,000 trees across 50 hectares of land in Rizal. The agreement is the SMKPI’s first with a private sector partner, and SMKPI will oversee the establishment and maintenance of the 50-hectare plantation.

Bryan Ulic-Ulic, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Rizal Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Provincial Coordinator1, said: “This is the very first signing of an agreement with a People’s Organization. Let us not waste this opportunity. The importance of trees includes both tangible and intangible benefits. For example, better climatic conditions - we cannot pay for that. The motto of the CBFM is ‘People first and sustainability will follow,’ and this initiative will be one of our solutions for our sustainable environment.” 

The Antipolo site was carefully selected for its ecological significance to the Greater Metro Manila area. As the host province for several of the company's key renewable energy projects and ongoing community programmes, Rizal remains a primary focus of Vena Energy's environmental stewardship efforts.

The initiative reflects Vena Energy's broader sustainability strategy and strong culture of corporate social responsibility. By encouraging employees to actively engage in environmental conservation efforts, the company continues to foster a workplace culture that values sustainability, community partnership, and collective action.

1PENRO is the primary provincial-level implementing arm of the DENR, which manages land dispositions, environmental permits, protected areas, and local forestry projects. The CBFM develops strategies to manage, protect, and rehabilitate forestlands.