ABS-CBN Foundation ends 25-year stewardship of La Mesa Watershed

MANILA, Philippines – After almost 25 years of stewardship, the ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporated (AFI) will turn over management of La Mesa Nature Reserve and La Mesa Ecopark to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

“AFI expresses our heartfelt gratitude to our employees, partners, donors, and supporters for their valuable contributions and support in restoring and sustaining the La Mesa Watershed for almost 25 years,” the foundation said on Thursday, February 8.

The nature reserve will be turned over to MWSS’ corporate office and concessionaires. La Mesa Ecopark, on the other hand, will be handed over to MWSS’ corporate office and the local government of Quezon City.

Because of the turnover, both the nature reserve and the ecopark will be closed to the public starting Monday, February 12.

The nature reserve offers several trails going around the reserve, covered by lush forest canopies. The trails are open to runners, hikers, and bikers.

The La Mesa Watershed, Ipo and Angat watersheds supply water to Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, affected staff will be receiving severance packages. The foundation said they “recognize the challenges our employees at La Mesa may face due to temporary closure.”

The change in management is in line with an interagency agreement among MWSS, Manila Water, and Maynilad on a sustainability roadmap that includes developing the Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa watersheds by 2047.

MWSS and the two concessionaires signed a memorandum of agreement last October 2023 for the Integrated Watershed Management Roadmap for Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa.

Manila Water and Maynilad will fund the programs that will rehabilitate the watersheds.

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“You can rely on our commitment and our support to make sure that we will work with all the stakeholders to ensure a robust and well-protected vibrant watershed,” Manila Water president and CEO Jocot de Dios said during the October signing.

There are still no details as to when recreational and outdoor activities in the nature reserve and ecopark will continue.

Rappler has reached out to AFI and MWSS for more details but has yet to receive a response, as of