In a show of collective responsibility for the environment, employees of Coca-Cola Philippines took part in a tree-planting activity at the La Mesa Watershed on December 17, contributing to efforts to protect one of Metro Manila’s most vital sources of clean water.
The activity brought together Coca-Cola associates who volunteered their time to plant and care for tree seedlings within the watershed, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship. La Mesa Watershed plays a critical role in providing potable water to millions of households, making its conservation essential to everyday life.
The initiative was conducted in partnership with the Million Trees Foundation as part of the Annual Million Trees Challenge, a nationwide effort launched in 2017 to plant one million trees annually across seven priority watersheds. The program aims to rehabilitate degraded forest areas while strengthening long-term water security and ecological balance.
Antonio Del Rosario, president of Coca-Cola Philippines, emphasized that the activity goes beyond the act of planting trees.
“We’re actually doing more than planting trees here. We’re helping protect the watershed, which is La Mesa, that provides clean water that all of us enjoy,” Del Rosario said. “Beyond Coca-Cola Philippines, I think ourselves individually and our families really have a part. We find a way to return back to nature.”
Volunteers spent the day planting seedlings and working closely with environmental partners to ensure the proper care and survival of the saplings. The activity reflected a shared commitment to sustainability, as employees were joined by their families, including children, turning the initiative into a meaningful community effort aimed at protecting natural resources for future generations.
Coca-Cola Philippines reiterated that sustainability is a shared responsibility, with every role and individual action contributing to meaningful impact. By supporting watershed rehabilitation through employee volunteerism and strategic partnerships, the company continues to reinforce its purpose of making a positive difference in the communities it serves.
