La Mesa Ecopark 'temporarily closing' as ABS-CBN Foundation ends stewardship
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La Mesa Ecopark 'temporarily closing' as ABS-CBN Foundation ends stewardship
ARRA PEREZ,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 08, 2024 11:06 PM PHT
The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News
The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News MANILA -- After almost 25 years, the stewardship of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. in the La Mesa Ecopark and Nature Reserve comes to an end.
MANILA -- After almost 25 years, the stewardship of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. in the La Mesa Ecopark and Nature Reserve comes to an end.
The non-profit said Thursday that it will turn over management of the area to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on February 15.
The non-profit said Thursday that it will turn over management of the area to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on February 15.
"The handover aligns with the Integrated Watershed Management Roadmap for Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa (IWMRAIL) led by MWSS, which ensures the protection and preservation of the three watersheds," the foundation said in a statement.
"The handover aligns with the Integrated Watershed Management Roadmap for Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa (IWMRAIL) led by MWSS, which ensures the protection and preservation of the three watersheds," the foundation said in a statement.
As part of the transition, both the La Mesa Ecopark and the Nature Reserve will be temporarily closed to the public from February 12.
As part of the transition, both the La Mesa Ecopark and the Nature Reserve will be temporarily closed to the public from February 12.
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Joal Ascalon, head of ABS-CBN Foundation's Bantay Kalikasan, said this is part of the normal transition of development projects.
Joal Ascalon, head of ABS-CBN Foundation's Bantay Kalikasan, said this is part of the normal transition of development projects.
"Sa simula, maraming tumutulong para pangalagaan. Pag kaya nang tumayo sa sarili, bumabalik na ito doon sa duty bearers. Minsan it's a local community at, madalas, sa government agency at sa local government unit," he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
"Sa simula, maraming tumutulong para pangalagaan. Pag kaya nang tumayo sa sarili, bumabalik na ito doon sa duty bearers. Minsan it's a local community at, madalas, sa government agency at sa local government unit," he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
MWSS owns the land where La Mesa is located.
MWSS owns the land where La Mesa is located.
The agency and their concessionaires will steward the nature reserve, MWSS administrator Leonor Cleofas said in the statement.
The agency and their concessionaires will steward the nature reserve, MWSS administrator Leonor Cleofas said in the statement.
"In addition, the La Mesa Ecopark, an ecotourism, recreational, and educational facility for the public, shall be turned over to MWSS-CO and the local government of Quezon City," she added.
"In addition, the La Mesa Ecopark, an ecotourism, recreational, and educational facility for the public, shall be turned over to MWSS-CO and the local government of Quezon City," she added.
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BIODIVERSITY LEGACY
The ABS-CBN Foundation--through donors and visitors--has been protecting the area since 1999.
The ABS-CBN Foundation--through donors and visitors--has been protecting the area since 1999.
Over the past 25 years, about 1.3 million trees have been planted in the La Mesa Nature Reserve.
Over the past 25 years, about 1.3 million trees have been planted in the La Mesa Nature Reserve.
But this is not the only legacy the ABS-CBN Foundation will leave to the area's next steward.
But this is not the only legacy the ABS-CBN Foundation will leave to the area's next steward.
The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News
The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News The organization's supervision saw the return of birds, fresh air, and biodiversity to what is considered Metro Manila's remaining forest.
The organization's supervision saw the return of birds, fresh air, and biodiversity to what is considered Metro Manila's remaining forest.
"Twenty-five years ago, nakita ng ating founder na si Ms. Gina Lopez that La Mesa was deforested... And because it's the source of clean water for Metro Manila, malaki iyong responsibilidad natin na pangalagaan siya... So maraming bisita, nakita nila iyong La Mesa. It's their example of what we can do to save our forests, and the forest can help save us din," Ascalon said.
"Twenty-five years ago, nakita ng ating founder na si Ms. Gina Lopez that La Mesa was deforested... And because it's the source of clean water for Metro Manila, malaki iyong responsibilidad natin na pangalagaan siya... So maraming bisita, nakita nila iyong La Mesa. It's their example of what we can do to save our forests, and the forest can help save us din," Ascalon said.
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"After 25 years, we've restored the forest. If you go in some areas, you can't see the sky, it's all trees. We planted 94 species of native trees. And then the birds have come back, almost 150 species of birds and as well as a lot of other wildlife... For us, that's a story that will continue to be written in the years to come as La Mesa continues to grow and support wildlife and people," he added.
"After 25 years, we've restored the forest. If you go in some areas, you can't see the sky, it's all trees. We planted 94 species of native trees. And then the birds have come back, almost 150 species of birds and as well as a lot of other wildlife... For us, that's a story that will continue to be written in the years to come as La Mesa continues to grow and support wildlife and people," he added.
The ABS-CBN Foundation in its statement thanked its employees, supporters, donors, partners, and visitors for their contributions to restoring and sustaining the watershed over the years.
The ABS-CBN Foundation in its statement thanked its employees, supporters, donors, partners, and visitors for their contributions to restoring and sustaining the watershed over the years.
The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News
The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News "We'd like to let them now na we are sure, confident that the MWSS, the concessionaires, the QC LGU will continue this advocacy, will continue to offer La Mesa as a haven for many Metro Manila residents for years to come. It's a very important legacy. We hope to preserve it and we really hope that we continue to be a part of this legacy," he said.
"We'd like to let them now na we are sure, confident that the MWSS, the concessionaires, the QC LGU will continue this advocacy, will continue to offer La Mesa as a haven for many Metro Manila residents for years to come. It's a very important legacy. We hope to preserve it and we really hope that we continue to be a part of this legacy," he said.
The foundation added it will move forward with its other advocacies.
The foundation added it will move forward with its other advocacies.
"We're also into children's rights and welfare, we have disaster response in Sagip Kapamilya, education, and livelihood. So our projects continue to go outside of Metro Manila, in a lot of areas, helping communities. Same thing: development projects, helping them, and then handing over to these communities after," Ascalon shared.
"We're also into children's rights and welfare, we have disaster response in Sagip Kapamilya, education, and livelihood. So our projects continue to go outside of Metro Manila, in a lot of areas, helping communities. Same thing: development projects, helping them, and then handing over to these communities after," Ascalon shared.
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"For the environment, sa Bantay Kalikasan, we are focusing our efforts on the Verde Island Passage. It's the center of the center of marine biodiversity not just in the Philippines, but in the planet. So kumbaga ito iyong forest ng dagat, ang La Mesa ng dagat," he added.
"For the environment, sa Bantay Kalikasan, we are focusing our efforts on the Verde Island Passage. It's the center of the center of marine biodiversity not just in the Philippines, but in the planet. So kumbaga ito iyong forest ng dagat, ang La Mesa ng dagat," he added.
The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News
The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News FOND MEMORIES
The ABS-CBN Foundation said it has prepared a separation package for employees of La Mesa who will be affected by the transition.
The ABS-CBN Foundation said it has prepared a separation package for employees of La Mesa who will be affected by the transition.
"We hope that they can continue employment under the next stewards. We know that, over the years, they have really given all their time, effort, love for La Mesa," Ascalon said.
"We hope that they can continue employment under the next stewards. We know that, over the years, they have really given all their time, effort, love for La Mesa," Ascalon said.
Roden Lacbayin, a La Mesa employee of two decades, said he found there a livelihood which not only provides for his family, but also keeps the environment alive.
Roden Lacbayin, a La Mesa employee of two decades, said he found there a livelihood which not only provides for his family, but also keeps the environment alive.
"Napamahal na po talaga ako dito sa proyekto kaya hindi na ako umalis... Iyong ibang mga kasamahan namin, dati silang nakatira dito sa loob ng La Mesa watershed. Tapos ang ginawa ng management, sila ang ginawang mga empleyado para ma-maintain," he told ABS-CBN News.
"Napamahal na po talaga ako dito sa proyekto kaya hindi na ako umalis... Iyong ibang mga kasamahan namin, dati silang nakatira dito sa loob ng La Mesa watershed. Tapos ang ginawa ng management, sila ang ginawang mga empleyado para ma-maintain," he told ABS-CBN News.
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The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News
The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. ABS-CBN News Aside from its employees, La Mesa also holds fond memories for regular visitors.
Aside from its employees, La Mesa also holds fond memories for regular visitors.
"We love the trees and the greenery of the place. Maganda siya for us na mag-Tiktok kami," said senior citizen Gloria Jovero, who visited with friends from Batangas.
"We love the trees and the greenery of the place. Maganda siya for us na mag-Tiktok kami," said senior citizen Gloria Jovero, who visited with friends from Batangas.
"It's really hard to find sa city na ganitong environment na fresh air, walang usok, tahimik," said MMA fighter Denice Zamboanga, who has been training at the ecopark for a decade.
"It's really hard to find sa city na ganitong environment na fresh air, walang usok, tahimik," said MMA fighter Denice Zamboanga, who has been training at the ecopark for a decade.
"Dito gumanda iyong hangin ko, iyong cardio ko. Dito lumakas ang legs ko," she added.
"Dito gumanda iyong hangin ko, iyong cardio ko. Dito lumakas ang legs ko," she added.
Meanwhile, jogger Zaldy Sidayon shared an unforgettable encounter with the late ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez.
Meanwhile, jogger Zaldy Sidayon shared an unforgettable encounter with the late ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez.
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"Nagkita kami sa may ilog dyan, nakikita ko siya na naglilinis. Nag-usap kami... Sobrang down to earth si Ma'am Gina. Makita mo ang dumi ng kamay niya, naglilinis siya. Natuwa kami na ganoon pala siya," he said.
"Nagkita kami sa may ilog dyan, nakikita ko siya na naglilinis. Nag-usap kami... Sobrang down to earth si Ma'am Gina. Makita mo ang dumi ng kamay niya, naglilinis siya. Natuwa kami na ganoon pala siya," he said.
For Ascalon, visitors have become truly appreciative of the ecopark's and the nature reserve's aspects.
For Ascalon, visitors have become truly appreciative of the ecopark's and the nature reserve's aspects.
"Iyon iyong isang feature ng La Mesa: to allow visitors to come in, appreciate it whether it's hiking, biking. Kasi ito lang iyong only remaining forest sa Metro Manila, dito talaga pumupunta at dito natin na-realize na, 'Uy, pag inalagaan natin iyong gubat, iyong forest natin, it can take care of us.' Clean water, clean air, protection against typhoons--hat iyan ay benefits ng ating rainforests," he said.
"Iyon iyong isang feature ng La Mesa: to allow visitors to come in, appreciate it whether it's hiking, biking. Kasi ito lang iyong only remaining forest sa Metro Manila, dito talaga pumupunta at dito natin na-realize na, 'Uy, pag inalagaan natin iyong gubat, iyong forest natin, it can take care of us.' Clean water, clean air, protection against typhoons--hat iyan ay benefits ng ating rainforests," he said.
Ascalon hopes that stewards and visitors alike will continue to enjoy and preserve La Mesa's beauty amid the bustle of the metropolis.
Ascalon hopes that stewards and visitors alike will continue to enjoy and preserve La Mesa's beauty amid the bustle of the metropolis.
"Aside from the advoacy na ginawa natin and the forest that others helped us plant, we also have structures that our donors donated to both Ecopark and Watershed... And we hope that the next stewards will continue to maintain, upkeep, and offer them to the public, as venues for enjoying nature in Metro Manila," he said.
"Aside from the advoacy na ginawa natin and the forest that others helped us plant, we also have structures that our donors donated to both Ecopark and Watershed... And we hope that the next stewards will continue to maintain, upkeep, and offer them to the public, as venues for enjoying nature in Metro Manila," he said.
Read More:
La Mesa
ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN Foundation
MWSS
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System
La Mesa Ecopark
Quezon City
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