Boracay Water completes reforestation of adopted watershed in Nabaoy River

Boracay Water, along with its partners, has successfully completed the reforestation and rehabilitation of its 20-hectare adopted area within the Nabaoy Watershed under its flagship sustainability program, Boracay Highland to Ocean (H2O).

In 2019, Boracay Water launched the Water Management program under H2O, called “PUNOan ang PalaTUBIGan,” in partnership with the DENR-Region VI, the Local Government Unit of Malay, and the Nabaoy Forest Farmers Development Association (NAFFDA). This collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement, reflecting Boracay Water’s intent to pursue a multi-sectoral effort to develop and rehabilitate 20 hectares of the Nabaoy Watershed within 5 years.

Boracay Water also introduced a livelihood program for members of NAFFDA, empowering local farmers to lead the monitoring and maintenance of the Nabaoy Watershed. The initiative was supported by a ₱2.1-million fund provided by Boracay Water to sustain operations.

Boracay Water and its partners successfully planted 36,527 trees over the 5-year watershed management program.

The Nabaoy River and Watershed serves as the primary source of clean water for Boracay Island and the entire municipality of Malay.

Beyond reforestation, Boracay Water has also carried out river management initiatives to maintain the pristine quality of Nabaoy River, ensuring it consistently meets DENR’s Class A classification standards, coastal resource efforts, which include annual coastal and underwater cleanup activities to preserve the cleanliness and integrity of Boracay’s coastal ecosystems.

Stakeholders, customers, and the youth were also empowered through information, education, and communication (IEC) sessions, aimed at raising awareness on solid waste and wastewater management and its environmental significance.

“As tourism continues to grow and drive higher water demand, safeguarding a sustainable watershed is essential to securing a reliable supply of clean water for Boracay Island and the Municipality of Malay. This initiative not only addresses local water security but also advances our commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals by protecting vital ecosystems and ensuring access to safe water for future generations.”

Bryan Magallanes, General Manager of Boracay Water says.

To reinforce its commitment to watershed protection and water security, Boracay Water plans to expand the said program by adopting an additional 20-hectare area in the Nabaoy Watershed, specifically in Sitio Mananga, Barangay Nabaoy. This initiative will once again be carried out in collaboration with DENR, the Malay LGU, Barangay Nabaoy, and NAFFDA.

Boracay Water is an operating unit of Manila Water Non-East Zone subsidiary Manila Water Philippine Ventures and a concessionaire of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

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